The EU Council calls on Russia to de-escalate around Ukraine

The EU Council condemns the aggressive actions and threats posed by the Russian Federation. It calls on it to de-escalate around Ukraine, to comply with international law, and to engage in constructive dialogue.

The representative of Germany in the Council of Europe, Sebastian Fischer, wrote this.

"Dialogue in accordance with the key principles underlying European security is a way to improve the security situation and preserve peace and stability on our continent. The concept of 'spheres of influence' has no place in the 21st century," the EU foreign ministers said in a statement.

The EU Council reaffirms its commitment to the basic principles of the Union concerning the sovereign equality and territorial integrity of countries, the inviolability of borders, and the deterrence or threat of force.

"Their violation by Russia is an obstacle to a single and indivisible security space in Europe and threatens peace and stability on our continent," the document said.

The Council also notes that the OSCE is an appropriate forum for addressing security concerns for all parties.

"The Council welcomes the efforts of the current OSCE Chairperson-in-Office to launch a substantive dialogue on European security as soon as possible. The Council reaffirms the EU's common approach and the active cooperation and coordination of the EU and its Member States with the United States, NATO, Ukraine, and our other partner countries," the EU Foreign Ministers added.

The EU Council welcomes the coordination of the Alliance's position and its interaction with the United States and NATO members and calls on the Russian Federation to engage constructively.

In particular, the ministers stressed the importance of strengthening the security and resilience of the EU against cyber and hybrid attacks, as well as misinformation.

"The Council calls on the High Representative and the Commission to step up their efforts in this direction. The European Union remains committed to a unified, long-term, and strategic European approach to EU-Russia relations based on the five guiding principles," the document said.

Earlier, Johnson said that a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine would be a "new Chechnya."

As reported by Rubryka, the United Kingdom is recalling some embassy staff in Ukraine and members of their families.

Earlier, there was information about the decision of the US State Department to start deporting the families of American diplomats from Ukraine. This comes amid fears that Russia will expand its military aggression in Ukraine.