T

here is a bitter wind reminiscent of the cold war blowing over Europe. The unprovoked violation of Ukraine'€™s sovereignty and territorial integrity by the Russian Federation poses the most serious threat to peace and stability on the European Continent since the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

The European Union has played a central role in cementing peace, stability and prosperity in Europe. It will not remain passive in front of what is a flagrant violation of international law and established norms and agreements.

The EU and the 28 heads of state and government of its member states have strongly condemned the Russian violation of Ukrainian territory. We have also condemned the holding of the illegal referendum in Crimea on joining the Russian Federation, as contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution and international law. It was held without proper preparation, in the presence of armed foreign soldiers and under conditions of intimidation. The EU views it as illegitimate and its outcome will not be recognized.

On March 6, EU heads of state and government called on Russia to de-escalate and withdraw its armed forces to their pre-crisis numbers. Instead there have been clear signs of increasing Russian military build-up in Crimea, as well as denial of access to the peninsula to UN and Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) representatives invited by the government of Ukraine. Consequently and in the absence of any credible moves to de-escalate, the EU decided on Monday to introduce restrictive measures, including travel bans and an asset freeze against persons responsible for actions which undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

The European Union remains ready to facilitate dialogue between Ukraine and Russia. There is still time to reverse current developments and find a peaceful solution. The Ukrainian government has put forward constructive ideas in this regard. In this light, the EU has urged the Russian Federation not to take steps to annex Crimea in violation of international law. Any further steps by the Russian Federation to destabilize the situation in Ukraine would lead to additional consequences for relations between Russia and the EU in a broad range of economic areas. The EU supports the establishment of an international presence on the ground throughout Ukraine, including in Crimea, such as an OSCE special monitoring mission.

The EU is stepping up its support to the people of Ukraine. We intend to work with our partners in order to restore macroeconomic stability while we call on the Ukrainian government to launch an ambitious set of economic reforms. The EU has proposed to temporarily remove customs duties on Ukrainian exports to the EU and to sign the political provisions of the Association Agreement. The EU is also committed to liberalizing visas in order to enhance people-to-people contacts between the EU and Ukraine. Overall the EU is looking at a very generous support program of over 11 billion over the next couple of years.

The European Union commends the measured response shown so far by Ukraine. We have encouraged the Ukrainian authorities to pursue an inclusive political agenda, reach out to all Ukrainians, ensure free and fair elections and to advance constitutional reform. All human rights violations and acts of violence need to be properly investigated and measures need to be stepped up to combat impunity. In this context, the EU looks forward to the early establishment of the Council of Europe International Advisory Panel.

The EU has also called on the Ukrainian authorities to ensure the full protection of the rights of national minorities, drawing on the expertise of the Council of Europe and the OSCE. We also support the Council of Europe tasking of its Advisory Committee for the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to review the situation of national minorities in Ukraine.

As EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso and EU Council president Herman van Rompuy have stated, the solution to the unfolding crisis must be based on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, in the framework of the Ukrainian Constitution as well as strict adherence to international standards. Direct discussions between the Governments of Ukraine and Russia need to be encouraged.

There is no place for 19th Century power politics in today'€™s Europe. Ultimately, it is in Russia'€™s best interests to find a negotiated solution. Long-term prosperity cannot be guaranteed without good relations with neighbors and major economic partners as well as clear respect for international law.

Diplomacy still holds the key to resolving the crisis.

The writer is European Union Ambassador to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN.