The European Council congratulates Ukraine on its new government and welcomes its determination to carry out political and economic reforms. Following the Commission ́s second disbursement in December of 500 million Euro in macro-financial assistance, the EU and its Member States stand ready to further facilitate and support Ukraine's reform process, together with other donors and in line with IMF conditionality. The European Council welcomes the Commission's readiness to increase humanitarian aid to the suffering people in Ukraine.

The situation in eastern Ukraine remains a strong concern. The Union's policy of not recognising the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol was further tightened today. The EU will stay the course; the European Council is ready to take further steps if necessary. All parties, including Russia, should actively engage in and implement fully the Minsk agreements. The European Council calls for unhindered access to the crash site of MH17 in the interest of the ongoing investigations.