E. VENIZELOS: With regard to Ukraine, our priority now is to organize genuine public steps of de-escalation of the tension and the violence. The first step, from the Russian side, is not to recognize the so-called referendum. The second step is the real participation of the eastern parts of Ukraine in the presidential elections. The third step is the withdrawal of military forces from the borderline. But also, on the part of Kiev, we need a genuine inclusive procedure of dialogue with the eastern regions of the country. This is something very important in order to organize a real new and viable situation in Ukraine, always under the principle of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.
May 12, 2014