The situation in Ukraine is approaching the point of no return, European Union Commission head Jose Manual Barroso said Saturday, as the EU prepared to pass a new round of sanctions against Russia over the escalating violence there.
“We are in a very serious, I would say, dramatic situation… where we can reach the point of no return,” Mr. Barroso said after talks in Brussels with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the Agence-France Presse reported.
After reports surfaced that Russian troops were still involved in clashes in eastern Ukraine, reports confirmed by Mr. Poroshenko, Mr. Barroso told reporters “If the escalation of the conflict continues, this point can come.”
Mr. Barroso remained hopeful that a diplomatic solution could still be reached. EU leaders are set to meet again on Saturday to discuss tougher sanctions against Russia after the increased aggression.
Mr. Poroshenko was less optimistic and raised the specter of consequences outside the Russia-Ukraine border.
“Thousand(s) of the foreign troops and hundreds of the foreign tanks are now on the territory of Ukraine,” he told reporters, speaking in English. “There is a very high risk not only for peace and stability for Ukraine but for the whole peace and stability of Europe.”
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“Today we are talking about the fate of Ukraine, tomorrow it could be for all Europe,” he said.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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