"To date, there are three main objectives: to coordinate the investigation of what happened in Mariupol, seek a resumption of dialogue and finally explore the possibility of additional sanctions in the event that the situation [in east Ukraine] deteriorates," Margallo announced, ahead of talks with EU counterparts in Brussels.
The Spanish foreign minister dismissed claims that the victory by Greece's Syriza party in recent elections would play a determining factor in shifting current European policy toward Russia.
"I don't think that Europe has to make hasty decisions on further economic sanctions against Russia," Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni was quoted as saying in Brussels later on the day.
Thursday's extraordinary meeting of the EU foreign ministers is expected to center around the "deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern Ukraine," which saw several deadly shelling incidents last week, according to the European Council.
The foreign ministers "will assess the situation and consider any appropriate action," said the council.
The European Union, the United States and a number of other countries have imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia in 2014, targeting the country's banking, energy and defense sectors, as well as certain individuals. The restrictions were imposed over Moscow's alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis. Russia has repeatedly denied those allegations.
