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The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Gilmore, TD, has announced that EU Foreign Ministers have agreed to extend the list of those subject to visa bans and asset freezes in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Speaking after the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg today, which was dominated by the ongoing crisis, the Tánaiste said:

“Foreign Ministers roundly condemned the illegal armed activity in Eastern Ukraine over recent days. We are issuing a very direct call on Russia to publicly repudiate this activity.

“The Foreign Affairs Council has also decided to expand the list of those to whom visa bans and asset freezes will apply. We also noted that any further steps by the Russian Federation to destabilise the situation in Ukraine would lead to additional and far-reaching consequences in a broad range of economic areas. Preparatory work is underway on Phase Three economic measures so that further steps can be taken should events require.

“Foreign Ministers also agreed to send an expert mission to Ukraine, organised by the European External Action Service, to prepare possible EU assistance in support of police and rule-of-law.”

The Tánaiste said that Foreign Ministers remain focused on de-escalating the crisis and finding a political solution.

“I look forward to the Quartet talks in Geneva later this week involving Russia, the US, Ukraine, and the EU. It is in the interest of the entire region that a sovereign, prosperous, stable, democratic and inclusive Ukraine emerge from the current crisis.”