We have reached an important, perhaps even decisive, juncture. The situation in Ukraine is extremely critical, but there is still a chance that we can prevent a further escalation of violence and the total loss of control in eastern Ukraine by using diplomatic means.

I welcome the constructive tone that President Putin adopted after his meeting with OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Burkhalter. What they agreed in Moscow must be put into practice immediately. We fully support the proposals that Didier Burkhalter discussed with President Putin yesterday and has now forwarded to the parties to the Geneva accord.

We must now focus our efforts on making sure that the elections can be held on 25 May and on laying the basis for a new constitution as quickly as possible. To this end, it is very important to establish a national dialogue that involves suitable representatives of eastern Ukraine.