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Saturday, August 30, Brussels - President Dalia Grybauskaitė is attending a special meeting of the European Council in Brussels to discuss the situation in Ukraine and its impact to the security of the whole of Europe.

The President underlined that direct invasion into Ukraine meant that de facto Russia had started a war against Europe because Ukraine had chosen a path of European development and integration with Europe.

Dalia Grybauskaitė pointed out that European countries had to recognize the obvious: Russia was conducting a military invasion into the territory of the sovereign state of Ukraine. It was not only a blatant violation of international law, the President said, but also a serious threat to the security of the whole of Europe.

Therefore, the President noted, EU member states had to make a realistic assessment of the situation that has developed and take all necessary steps to halt the further escalation of the conflict and to rebuild stability. Time has come to consider imposing an arms embargo on the existing transactions with Russia and providing Ukraine with military support.

Dalia Grybauskaitė stressed that it was also necessary to stop the mistralization of European politics. In the face of Russian aggression, it was inexcusable for EU countries to betray their values and security because of practical benefit and to arm the aggressor with sophisticated military equipment which can be directly used both against Ukraine and EU member states.

EU leaders will discuss nominations for the next President of the European Council and the next High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. They will also discuss the situations in Iraq, Syria and Gaza.

Photos: The Council of the European Union and Press Service of the President