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Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the European Union

Submitted on 2022-02-24 13:50:11

Russian Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov meets EEAS Secretary General Stefano Sannino

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On 24 February 2022, at EU initiative, Permanent Representative of Russia to the European Union Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov met with Secretary General of the European External Action Service Stefano Sannino.

In the course of the discussion, Vladimir Chizhov outlined Russia's assessment of the situation around the Ukrainian crisis, detailing the reasons that prompted the Russian leadership to take a decision to recognise the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic and then undertake a special military operation based on Article 51 of the UN Charter and the Treaties of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and those two states.

Stefano Sannino responded by referring to the statement of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell issued earlier in the day and the "initial" package of unilateral restrictive measures adopted by the European Union, indicating that the situation in Ukraine and Russia – EU relations would be thoroughly discussed at the forthcoming meeting of the European Council (EU Summit) to be held in the evening of 24 February 2022, which could eventually take a political decision on imposing additional restrictive measures.

The Russian side stressed the illegitimate and unsubstantiated nature of such unilateral measures which can only worsen the already dire situation in Russia – EU relations. The partners were warned that such a line would inevitably be met with counter steps from the Russian side.