European Council conclusions on Ukraine

August 31, 2014.

    On its sitting on August 30th the European Council adopted the following conclusions on Ukraine:
    1. Recalling the statements of the Heads of State or Government on Ukraine of 6 March and 27 May and its conclusions of 21 March, 27 June and 16 July, the European Council remains extremely concerned by the ongoing and increasingly intense fighting in Eastern Ukraine and continues to strongly condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea. It condemns the increasing inflows of fighters and weapons from the territory of the Russian Federation into Eastern Ukraine as well as the aggression by Russian armed forces on Ukrainian soil. It calls upon the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw all its military assets and forces from Ukraine. The European Union reiterates the urgent need for a sustainable political solution based on respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity and independence.
    2. The European Council underlines the importance of implementing President Poroshenko's peace plan without delay. The first step should consist of a mutually agreed and viable cease- fire, the re-establishment of Ukrainian control over its border, and an immediate halt to the flow of arms, material and military personnel from the Russian Federation into Ukraine, as well as the urgent release of all hostages held by the illegally armed groups as well as of the prisoners detained in the Russian Federation. Moreover, the European Council reiterates its call for immediate, safe and unrestricted access to the MH17 crash site as part of a cease-fire. The European Council expresses once more its support for the valuable efforts of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
    3. The European Council welcomes the trilateral talks initiated between the European Union, Ukraine and the Russian Federation on practical issues with regard to the implementation of the Association Agreement/DCFTA and the talks on energy. The European Council calls on all parties to keep up the momentum in order to reach tangible results within the agreed timeframe. The European Council also calls on all parties to support and facilitate a stable and secure transport of energy sources, in particular gas.
    4. The European Council calls on all parties to support and facilitate without delay the work of international humanitarian organisations, in accordance with international humanitarian law and principles. The humanitarian impact of the conflict on the civilian population should not be exploited for political or military ends. The European Council calls on all contributors, including the Russian Federation, to support the international relief effort led by the United Nations, in full recognition of the Ukrainian Government's role as a first responder.
    5. The European Council remains engaged in the monitoring and assessment of the restrictive measures adopted by the European Union and stands ready to take significant further steps, in light of the evolution of the situation on the ground. It requests the Commission to urgently undertake preparatory work, jointly with the EEAS, and present proposals for consideration within a week. It requests the Commission to include in its proposal a provision on the basis of which every person and institution dealing with the separatist groups in the Donbass will be listed.
    6. The European Council welcomes the exceptional measures taken by the Commission to stabilise the EU agricultural and food markets in order to alleviate the effects of the Russian import restrictions on certain EU agricultural products. It invites the Commission to monitor the situation and to consider adopting any further measures, as appropriate.