Putin 'in state of war with Europe'
Vladimir Putin has been warned that he is “practically in a state of war with Europe” as EU leaders mull tougher sanctions over the Ukraine crisis.
Lithuanian president Dalia Grybauskaite delivered the dramatic message to Moscow as she arrived in Brussels for a summit.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron has insisted there must be “consequences” if an estimated 1,000 Russian troops are not withdrawn from the east of the country.
And outgoing European commission president Jose Manuel Barroso said the situation was in danger of reaching “the point of no return”.
The comments came after Nato released images apparently showing Russian forces and an array of heavy weaponry in Ukraine.
However, Mr Putin has denied that his forces are in Ukraine – and upped his own rhetoric by reminding critics that Russia has nuclear weapons.
Arriving at the summit in Brussels, Ms Grybauskaite – whose own country used to be part of the Soviet Union – suggested EU states should be supplying Kiev with military equipment.
“It is the fact that Russia is in a war state against Ukraine,” she told reporters in English.
“That means it is in a state of war against a country which would like to be closely integrated with the EU. Practically Russia is in a state of war against Europe.
“That means we need to help Ukraine to ... defend its territory and its people and to help militarily, especially with the military materials to help Ukraine to defend itself because today Ukraine is fighting a war on behalf of all Europe.”
Mr Cameron, who earlier held talks with Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko at a nearby hotel, said: “We have to address the completely unacceptable situation of having Russian troops on Ukraine soil.
“Consequences must follow if that situation continues and we will be discussing that as well today.”
At a joint press conference with President Poroshenko this morning, Mr Barroso insisted it was not too late to find a political solution.
But he added: “We are in a very serious, I would say, dramatic situation... where we can reach the point of no return.
“If the escalation of the conflict continues, this point can come.”
He added: “Russia should not underestimate the European Union’s will and resolve to stand by its principles and values.”
Mr Poroshenko said his presence at the summit was an important demonstration of solidarity with his country.
He said he still hoped tensions could be eased, after meeting Mr Putin in Minsk earlier this week.
“The most important thing now is peace,” he said.
“Today we are talking about the fate of Ukraine, tomorrow it could be for all Europe.”
EU leaders were originally meeting to decide on a new European Council President and High Representative, but those discussions are likely to be overshadowed by the burgeoning crisis.
