It is clear – not only from the German and French perspective, but also after many talks in Kyiv – that nothing is easy in Ukrainian domestic politics and that progress in the reform process must be fought for time and again.

The situation remains difficult also today. It is unclear whether and how a new reform-oriented government majority can be found in the Rada following the events of last week. Some are even calling for new elections. Many legislative projects by the Yatsenyuk Government have been submitted to the Rada and are awaiting consideration by the Parliament.

Our Franco-German message in this situation was clear. Our expectation of and appeal to all those exercising political responsibility is for them to ensure that no further time is lost and to refrain from political trench warfare and focus on implementing the reform agenda with all due vigour – in the interests of an independent and free Ukraine that is able to hold its own.

It is impossible to overstate the point that only countries that enjoy internal stability and gear up for the future can resist external threats.