Kyiv occurs in Brussels

The European Union and NATO supported Ukraine and condemned Russia in connection with the incident in the Kerch Strait and an increase in tension in the Donbass

If the focus of the Summit of the European Union, held on Thursday and Friday in Brussels, was on the occasion of friction with Brexit, Teresa May, then Petro Poroshenko took the second place. He also managed to visit the NATO headquarters.

On the eve of the soil, it was prepared by the Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin in negotiations with the head of the EU diplomacy Federica Mogherini. In Strasbourg, at the plenary session of the European Parliament, a award of the Academician Sakharov Award to the Ukrainian film director Oleg Sentsov, who was sitting in a Russian prison, took place under the ovation of deputies. The EU Assembly accepted in 433 votes against 105 under 30 abstent resolutions, representing Russia's intervention to the cause of the suffering and troubles of Ukraine, which rose five years ago on the European Way.

Against the backdrop of the Kerch incident and the fifth anniversary of the Maidan, all 28 EU countries at the level of heads of state and governments announced solidarity with Ukraine and called Russia's actions unacceptable.

All. Even those that were for mitigating sanctions against Russia. Even Hungary, which has friction with Ukraine.

Poroshenko admitted: he still had some doubts, but the summit removed them, confirming the unified position of the EU countries.

The European Council in its resolution expressed "extreme concern in connection with the escalation in the Kerch Strait and the Sea of ​​Azov and violations of international law by Russia." He confirmed the commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine and the EU policy on non -recognition of the illegal annexation of Crimea. " European leaders believe that “there is no justification for the use of military power by Russia”, require the immediate liberation of all detained Ukrainian sailors and the return of captured vessels. They also require a free passage of all ships through the Kerch Strait. The EU is ready to take measures to support the injured regions of Ukraine.

Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron as members of the Norman format told colleagues about the state of the implementation of the Minsk agreements. Based on this information, the European Council decided to extend economic sanctions against Russia, "since no progress has been achieved."

Contrary to forecasts, he did not impose new sanctions. But Poroshenko handed over to the EU and NATO to the leaders of the EU and for possible personal sanctions a list of persons involved in the seizure of Ukrainian military sailors. In it - employees of the FSB of Russia, judges, prosecutors. Such a measure is quite possible.

The resolution of the European Parliament requires to stop the laying of the North Stream 2 gas pipeline. In the decree of the summit adopted by the consensus, there is no this requirement. Moreover, radical measures, such as the ban on the visits of Russian courts at the EU ports. But the European Council reserves the right to take new measures against Russia.

The resolution of the European Parliament notes that the reforms conducted by Kiev were accompanied by a sharp increase in prices and social costs, the judicial system remains ineffective, corrupt and politically dependent, there are problems of oligarchic power, decentralization is slowly undergoing. But both the deputies and the European Commission quite highly appreciated the reformal activity of the Ukrainian authorities.

The deputy chairman of the EC Valdis Dombrovskis at a meeting with Poroshenko said that over the past five years, Ukraine has carried out deeper reforms than 20 years before the Maidan. Last week, the EU allocated to her 500 million euros of macrofinance assistance - the first tranche of the program worth 1 billion euros. Kyiv has fulfilled all six conditions for this. Help is designed to help the fight against corruption, reform of corporate sector management, improve public finances, helps to stabilize the economy and strengthen investors' trust. The EU Council provided on Thursday the humanitarian aid to Donbass in 4 million euros.

In NATO Poroshenko received political support, promises of assistance in reforming and modernizing the army, which will go 40 million euros from target funds. The Secretary General of Stoltenberg, like the EU leaders, demanded that Russia immediate release of Ukrainian sailors and the return of courts, and ensure freedom of shipping, including free access to the Ukrainian ports on the Sea of ​​Azov as a result of the Kerch incident. NATO will continue to increase the presence in the Black Sea region.

This is all that NATO can be an organization. There can be no talk of any military intervention. NATO as a defensive alliance apply article 5 of its charter only for the collective defense of its members. The Secretary General promised that in the future, NATO doors are open to Ukraine and the Alliance will help her in preparation for this.

The pre -scanning Ukrainian landing in Brussels continues. Monday is also a "Ukrainian day." The Council of the Ukrainian Association will consider the state of bilateral relations in the framework of Eastern partnership and European neighborhood policy. The delegations will be headed by Federica Mogherini and Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman. The Association Council will deal with economic issues, including business development and investment climate, and bilateral trade.