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                    EU Ministers Discuss Ukraine Cease-fire

   by VOA News

   European Union foreign ministers met for a second day in the Latvian
   capital of Riga on Saturday, devoting most of their time to the crisis
   in Ukraine.

   Many ministers pinned their hopes for peace on the success of the
   latest Minsk cease-fire agreement and said the EU should only consider
   tightening sanctions on Russia if the agreement was seriously violated.

   The European Union's Foreign Policy chief, Federica Mogherini, said the
   EU is "extremely realistic about the developments in Russia."

   "But we'll never be trapped, or forced, or pushed, or pulled into a
   confrontative (sic) attitude," she said. "We still believe that around
   our continent, not only in our continent, but around our continent,
   cooperation is far better than confrontation and we'll still argue for
   that."

   Concerns have been raised about a possible separatist offensive on the
   Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, where forces on both sides have been
   taking positions.

   The ministers also discussed the EU's relations with Russia, Greece's
   financial status and the attack on a restaurant in the Malian capital
   of Bamako.

   While the cease-fire reached last month has mostly been holding, Kyiv
   and pro-Russia separatists have accused each other of violence.

   Pro-Russian rebels said Saturday they have completed their withdrawal
   of heavy weapons from the front lines, in compliance with terms of the
   agreement.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-ministers-discuss-ukraine-ceasefir
   e/2671463.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/eu-ministers-discuss-ukraine-ceasefire/2671463.html