EU ministers to consider action if violence continues

EU foreign ministers, including Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, are expected to agree to action such as visa bans, assets freezes and possibly weapons bans when they meet in emergency session on Ukraine today.

They will be briefed by the foreign ministers of Germany, France, Poland and the EU’s High Representative Catherine Ashton who hope to have talks with the president Viktor Yanukovych and opposition leaders this morning.

Earlier German chancellor Angela Merkel and French president Francois Hollande after their annual cabinet meeting in Paris indicated their support for sanctions with Ms Merkel saying sanctions were not enough and they must not hit the civilian population.

However, the extent of such action will be hotly discussed by the ministers in Brussels today as they try to tread a path between shocking those in government responsible for the deaths and violence to pull back.

The ministers will also be very aware that the situation could be at a tipping point in a country that is divided between those that feel closer to Moscow and those who want a closer relationship with western Europe.

Many fear that, with increasing deaths and violence in the capital, Kiev, and continuing demonstrations across most of the country, it could become out of control, especially with radical nationalists taking advantage of the demonstrations to fuel further divisions.

They are also likely to call on the UN and the Council of Europe to become involved, and will coordinate sanctions with those the USA will take.

Mr Gilmore said the EU has identified the formation of a new and inclusive government; progress on constitutional reform; and the preparation for transparent and democratic presidential elections as the key elements needed to restore peace.