European foreign ministers debate another round of penalties on Russia and attempt to avert a crisis over Moscow's force buildup on its Ukrainian border.
Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign affairs leader, stated that as he arrived for a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers, no "concrete decision" on sanctions will be made on Monday. HE CONTINUED, the EU is examining what and when those following economic measures might be in coordination with the US and the UK.
Mr. Borrell stated that ministers were "deterring" and "dissuasion mode" to avert a crisis.
"However, in any case, we will send a strong signal to Russia that any aggression against Ukraine would come at a high price. However, we are currently attempting to do all possible to prevent this from happening," Mr. Borrell stated.
His remarks echo those made by the G7 countries over the weekend when they warned Russia that it would face the consequences if it intervened in Ukraine.
In 2014, the EU slapped sanctions on Russia's energy, financial, and defense industries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.
Russia has amassed 90,000 troops on the Ukrainian border and backed separatists fighting Ukrainian government forces. Attempts to find a diplomatic solution to a separatist struggle claimed over 14,000 lives in seven years have failed.
While western officials express concern about an attack, Russia maintains that it has no intention of initiating one.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, whose country has an abusive relationship with Russia, stated: "We are convinced that Russia is preparing for an all-out war against Ukraine." This is a once-in-a-generation occurrence, most likely since the Second World War.
"If this is an unprecedented attack... then the response from western countries must also be unprecedented."
Mr. Borrell described Monday's talks as a continuation of the G7 summit held over the weekend, during which there was a solid consensus to "stand behind Ukraine" and "its sovereignty and territorial integrity."
