EU envoy: Positive dynamics in Ukraine can help Mogherini Moscow visit
MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - The European Union is interested in EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini's visit to Moscow but the visit date has yet to be set, Head of the EU Delegation to Russia Vygaudas Usackas said.
He confirmed in an interview published by the newspaper Kommersant on Wednesday that the visit date was still unknown and said the EU was interested in holding that visit and making it fruitful.
Usackas added that positive dynamics in Ukraine could help facilitate a visit of the EU foreign policy chief to Moscow.
The European Union has a positive attitude to the Minsk agreements but it is still necessary to turn words into deeds, Usackas continued.
He said they were expecting to see genuine de-escalation of the conflict and restoration of peace and prosperity in Ukraine and noted that the EU would be true to its word and might take fresh measures against Moscow if the agreements were not met and Russia failed to do enough for supporting the agreements. Usackas said the EU would prefer not to take additional measures.
The envoy suggested that all sides should fully and rapidly met the Minsk package signed last week, for example, stop the hostilities, cease fire in every place including Debaltseve, and pull back heavy weapons.
It is important that the gunfire does not spread along the entire line of contact and the sides observe the agreements, Usackas said. The EU is watching the situation and generally regarding it as inspiring, he stated.
He also told the newspaper that the EU was planning to allot over 200 million euro this year for border cooperation with Russia and about 20 million euro would be invested in student exchange programs.