The official Kyiv counts on the maintenance of the European Union sanctions policy against Russian as an aggressor-country and expects more coordination position of the European Union and U.S. concerning sanctions. This statement was made by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman and High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini. The meeting was held on the second day of the working visit of the Head of Government to Brussels.

The Prime Minister stressed that the security situation in Donbas remains tense. Kremlin continues to supply heavy weapons and ammunition to the occupied territory of Donbas, and the exchange of hostages has been blocked. That is  precisely why the EU sanctions remain one of the mechanisms of deterring Russian aggression. "We are counting on the staunchest stance of the EU  regarding sanctions in the context of compelling the aggressor to fully implement the Minsk Agreements and we praise unassailable support of the European Union of the territorial integrity of Ukraine",  Volodymyr Groysman stressed.

In this context, the parties discussed the prospects for deploying a UN peacekeeping mission and agreed to coordinate their positions.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of consolidated actions in the energy issue and added that the implementation of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project actually means the use of hybrid weapons against Europe and the formation of a powerful element of future influence on the European Union. That is why maintaining the transit role of Ukraine is in line with the strategic interests of both Ukraine and the EU.

"We call on the European Commission to do its utmost to ensure that projects such as the Nord Stream 2 be subjected to the EU's Third Energy Package. In turn, we guarantee the reliability of the Ukrainian GTS, and are ready to attract a foreign partner to its management. It will be a durable solution  both for Ukraine and  Europe. Russia can’t guarantee a similar reliability of system", the Prime Minister underscored.

In the course of the meeting the sides also discussed the course of reforms in Ukraine, the approval of the legislative proposal for the launch of the fourth macro-financial assistance programme and the prospect of the formation of sectoral road maps, which will become a new step of cooperation between Ukraine and the EU.