Fri, 07 Mar, 2014 12:20:16 AM EU adopts targeted measures, Calls for talks between Ukraine, Russia FTimes-Xinhua-STT Report, March 7  Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen arrives at the European Union Council building in Brussels, on March 6, 2014, prior to a meeting of EU Heads of States and Government dedicated to the situation in Ukraine. Ukraine accused Russia of stoking tensions today as the UN Security Council and European leaders held emergency talks, while OSCE monitors were expected in Crimea in a mission to defuse tensions. Photo - AFP / Lehtikuva. The Prime Minister, Jyrki Katainen on Thursday said that Finland did not support imposing broader economic sanction against Russia at this moment.
Talking to journalists before the extraordinary summit of the European Council in Brussels, the Premier said that economic sanctions should be considered carefully because it might put a negative impact on the world economy.
Katainen said that Russia is an important trading partner to EU and its economy is reflected directly on Europe.
The Prime Minister emphasised that the Ukrainian crisis be eventually resolved through negotiations.
Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen arrives at the European Union Council building in Brussels, on March 6, 2014, prior to a meeting of EU Heads of States and Government dedicated to the situation in Ukraine. Ukraine accused Russia of stoking tensions today as the UN Security Council and European leaders held emergency talks, while OSCE monitors were expected in Crimea in a mission to defuse tensions. Photo - AFP / Lehtikuva. He also pointed out that tougher action could be considered later, if the situation deteriorates further, although he did not expect such unwanted situation.
Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) on Thursday decided to conduct targeted measures against Russia due to Ukraine crisis, calling for solution through negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.
Speaking at a press conference after Thursday's EU extraordinary summit, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy called for a peaceful solution to the Ukraine crisis.
"We have important relations with both Russia and Ukraine and stand ready to engage with both, bilaterally as a Union and also in broader multilateral initiatives. The EU will participate in the Contact Group. We want a solution in full respect of international law and the territorial integrity of countries," he said.
While the tension remains, the EU in a statement said that they decided to take measures including suspending talks on a wide-ranging economic pact and on a visa deal with Russia.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arsenii Yatseniuk European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton pose prior to a EU / Urkaine head of states Summit at the EU council headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, 06 March 2014. Photo - AFP / Lehtikuva. Meanwhile, the EU would support the decision of the European Members of the G8 and the EU institutions to suspend their participation preparations for G8 Summit until further notice.
On Wednesday, Russian Federation Council (upper house of parliament) chair Valentina Matvienkoa urged the West not to threaten sanctions against Moscow.
"Threats and language of sanctions towards Russia are absolutely counter-productive. It is impossible to imagine how sanctions could isolate Russia from the global economic process," she told reporters.
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