Tuesday, March 11, Vilnius - President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to discuss the situation in Ukraine and the EU's further steps to stop the escalation of the conflict. The meeting also focused on the need to ensure the work of international observer missions in Crimea.

"Russia is carrying out an open occupation of a sovereign state and its incorporation. This is an act of brutal aggression and a violation of international commitments. Europe's swift response to Russia's aggression is needed," the President stressed.

President Dalia Grybauskaitė said that one of the ways to stabilize the situation was through international missions. It was important that such missions should be impartial and that their professional work would help pave the way to a peaceful dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. Until the present moment, Russia has blocked all international observer missions sent to Crimea.

The President underlined that Europe was facing the risk of having yet another frozen conflict. Such conflicts do not contribute to the security and stability of the continent, she said.

The President pointed out that Europe had to demonstrate very clearly that it stood by the people of Ukraine and was ready to assist in stabilizing the situation in the country. Earlier, the EU decided to provide 11 billion euros of financial support to Ukraine. It was also committed to signing the political chapters of the Association Agreement with Ukraine as quickly as possible.

Press Service of the President

http://www.president.lt/en/press_center/press_releases/europes_swift_response_to_russias_aggression_is_needed.html