EU says local referendum on May 11 is illegal, will lead to further escalation in Ukraine
The European Union said on Thursday it was watching developments in Ukraine closely to see if Russian President Vladimir Putin would act after he said he was pulling Russian troops from Ukraine's borders.
"We take good note of President Putin's remarks on ... the issue of Ukrainian presidential elections on May 25, on his call to postpone a local referendum in the eastern part of Ukraine as well as his announcement on the recall of Russian troops from the borders of Ukraine," EU foreign policy spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic told reporters.
"This is a step which can help de-escalate the situation and of course we will follow developments on the ground very closely to see whether words are followed by deeds, by action," she said, adding that an independence referendum planned by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine "would have no democratic legitimacy and could only further worsen the situation."
More sanctiones ready to follow
European Union governments reached a preliminary agreement on Wednesday to expand the legal criteria for targeting people and companies with sanctions meant to pressure Russia over Ukraine, opening the way for new listings as soon as Monday May 12, diplomats said.
The decision, which should make it easier for the EU to target Russian companies, has to be formally approved during a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday.
"We have political approval, and it will have to be rubber-stamped," one diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Two other diplomats also said senior EU officials were due to discuss specific names of potential targets later on Wednesday.
The EU has already imposed asset freezes and visa bans on 48 Russians and Ukrainians over Moscow's annexation of Crimea.
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