Blog: BBC 4 Today - EU: 'Putin is wrong' about 'unlikely war' in Ukraine

Met dank overgenomen van F. (Federica) Mogherini i, gepubliceerd op dinsdag 24 februari 2015.

Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy said Putin is wrong: “Putin is wrong when he said that it is unlikely to have a conflict there, the conflict there is already going on.”

BBC 4 Today - Morning news and current affairs.

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, said in his first interview since a ceasefire was agreed between Russia and Ukraine, that a war between the neighbouring countries is unlikely.

Federica Mogherini, the High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy said Putin is wrong: “Putin is wrong when he said that it is unlikely to have a conflict there, the conflict there is already going on.”

Federica Mogherini also said that she believes the ceasefire can work and challenged a view that the EU isn’t strong enough to enforce a ceasefire.

“I believe that foreign policy works if it’s a win-win situation, and I think that Russian’s have an interest now, the Russian people for sure have an interest in finding a solution to the crisis, as for sure have the Ukrainians, and all of us Europeans,” she said.

Attempts to bring peace to Ukraine and avert the threat of a dangerous confrontation between east and west are hanging in the balance.

Tuesday 24 February was supposed to be the deadline for the withdrawal of heavy weapons by the Ukrainian forces and the rebels opposing them with the support of Russia.

Each side has accused the other of breaking the ceasefire that was agreed nearly a fortnight ago and there are doubts that the withdrawal will happen.

Radio (From 02:11:30)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05373s4

Video

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02kq5yt