“In view of the worsening situation we ask the upcoming Foreign Affairs Council to assess the situation and to consider any appropriate action, in particular on further restrictive measures, aiming at a swift and comprehensive implementation of Minsk agreements,” the communique reads.
“We express our concern about the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine. We condemn the killing of civilians during the indiscriminate shelling of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on 24 January 2015. We note evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, which underlines Russia’s responsibility. We urge Russia to condemn the separatists’ actions and to implement the Minsk agreements,” the diplomatic document said.
The next EU Foreign Ministers meeting on Ukraine is scheduled for Thursday.
The European Council in December concluded that Brussels was "ready to take further steps if necessary," discussing the imposition of sanctions on Russia.
The September 2014 Minsk agreements implied a ceasefire between Kiev and independence forces in southeastern Ukraine, an all-for-all prisoner exchange and the withdrawal of heavy weaponry along the line of contact.
Despite the ceasefire, fighting in southeastern Ukraine's Donbas region intensified during the first weeks of January.
Mariupol, a major port city in the Donetsk Region, came under shelling on January 24, killing 30 people and injuring 90, according to Ukrainian authorities.
