EU eyes next step against Russia after vote
Sanctions likely to be increased over Crimea referendum, worries about annexation
BRUSSELS — The European Union on Sunday condemned the referendum in Ukraine’s Crimea as illegal and is taking steps to increase sanctions against Russia over what many believe is a planned annexation of the bordering peninsula.
The contested vote on Crimea joining Russia further acerbated relations with Moscow, which has changed from a wary partner to a diplomatic adversary in the space of a few months. But the EU increasingly realizes change might not be imminent.
“We cannot have any shortterm hopes now that the situation regarding Crimea can be changed so quickly,” German Foreign Minister Frank- Walter Steinmeier told ZDF television. “I assume Russia has made all the preparations to bring Crimea into Russian territory.”
Presidents Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin of Russia spoke after Crimea residents voted overwhelmingly to join Russia. Obama told Putin that the referendum would never be recognized by Washington. Obama also told him the vote violates the Ukrainian constitution and occurred under duress of Russian military intervention. He said the U. S. was prepared to impose additional penalties on Russia.
On Monday, EU foreign ministers will decide whether to impose asset freeze and visa sanctions and, if so, who to target. Further measures could be taken at an EU summit meeting of government leaders starting Thursday.
“The referendum is illegal and illegitimate and its outcome will not be recognized,” European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and Commission President José Manuel Barroso said in a joint statement Sunday.
Britain, France and Germany echoed the statement by British Foreign Secretary William Hague that Moscow must face “economic and political consequences.”
EU diplomats were working feverishly over the weekend to set up a list of Russian and Moscow- leaning officials from Ukraine who have been involved in pushing for the southern peninsula’s secession and possible annexation. Diplomats said member states arrived at weekend talks with different suggestions, so a common list could be drawn up for Monday’s meeting of the 28 foreign ministers to make a final decision.
The joint Van Rompuy- Barroso statement said the foreign ministers will “decide on additional measures” against Russia on Monday.
They would likely include military officials who ordered Ukrainian troops to leave their barracks in Crimea and others who were responsible for breakaway actions there. On the other hand, diplomats said they would shy away from economic operators at the moment.
Depending on developments in Moscow and Ukraine, further sanctions could follow during a two- day summit of EU leaders starting on Thursday.
An EU summit last week suspended talks with Russia on a wide- ranging economic pact and a visa agreement.