Ukraine crisis: France, Germany threaten Russia over poll

 

France and Germany have threatened Russia with further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election on 25 May fails to go ahead.

President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a statement they feared further destabilisation of Ukraine.

They also said referendums planned by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine for Sunday would be illegal.

They called for a visible reduction in Russian forces on the Ukrainian border.

Russia is estimated by Nato to have some 40,000 troops near the border, though Moscow says they have been pulled back.

The statement was issued after the two leaders met in Chancellor Merkel's constituency in Germany.
"If there is not an internationally recognised presidential election, that would lead unavoidably to a further destabilisation of the country," it said.

"Germany and France are in agreement that if that is the case, then corresponding consequences would be drawn as outlined by the European Council on March 6, 2014."

Correspondents take this to mean economic sanctions against Russia already authorised by European leaders in March.