EU actions on Ukraine insufficient, sanctions to be considered if situation worsens - Linkevicius

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius has said he believes that the EU's measures in relation to Ukraine due to the worsening political crisis are insufficient and does not rule out that Brussels will impose sanctions if the situation deteriorates.

He said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine that relations between Kyiv and Brussels were not the same as before.

"Our relations cannot remain the same. Confidence has fallen, and there is serious disappointment at the non-observance of commitments," Linkevicius said.

He also criticized the position currently adopted by Brussels with regard to Kyiv.

"In my opinion, our measures are not effective, we could have done more. Sometimes words are not enough, and actions are needed. I will not go into detail. But I cannot look indifferently at the people who have been standing in the cold for two months with flags of the EU and with hope for the future. It's necessary to help. More concrete measures are needed, and I think that we will come to it if we do not see improvement," Linkevicius said.

He also said that "more concrete measures" concern sanctions.

"If force is used against peaceful demonstrators, there will be consequences. I would not rule out that the issue of sanctions would be discussed in this case. Now it's not on the agenda, but I would not exclude that in future," Linkevicius said.

He also said that the EU intends to regularly discuss the situation in Ukraine. The next discussion at the level of EU foreign ministers will be held at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in February, he said.

"We will return to this issue in February and will regularly return to it, making conclusions about how effective the measures we use are," Linkevicius said.