High tension and attention remain on the Russian-Ukrainian source. “We have officially activated the risk reduction mechanism according to paragraph three of the Vienna Document – wrote the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kulebae on Twitter – and asked Russia to provide detailed explanations on military activities in the areas adjacent to the territory of ‘Ukraine and temporarily occupied Crimea’. Russia has “48 hours to respond” and if not, Ukraine “will turn to Moscow, as well as to the other States participating in the Vienna Document, to convene an extraordinary meeting where Russia will have to provide explanations”.
Meanwhile, the ambassadors of the member countries today approved the European Commission’s proposal to provide Ukraine with additional aid of 1.2 billion euros. The endorsement of the ambassadors should allow for a quick approval of the package by the European Parliament. The aid is aimed at providing rapid support to Kiev, in an acute crisis situation: “The EU supports Ukraine, including economically – declares the French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, of the EU Council presidency – the current geopolitical tensions they are having a heavy impact on the country. We have decided to support the Commission’s proposal, so that financial aid can reach Ukraine without delay ”.