Taking sanctions against Ukraine has become „unavoidable” to pave the way for peaceful talks and a political solution to the crisis, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Zsolt Neméth told commercial HírTV late 20 February 2014.

Mr. Németh will attend a meeting of EU foreign ministers initiated by Catherine Ashton, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on Thursday afternoon. Visegrád member states will also discuss the issue prior to the meeting.

Hungary gives priority to halting the escalation of violence, „whether it is committed by the government or the opposition”, Németh said.

Sanctions may include embargoes, freezing the assets and limiting the movement of certain persons, he said.

It would not be satisfactory, however, if the EU’s actions were limited to sanctions. The West needs to go deeper into its pockets and provide a large aid package for Ukraine, Németh said.

The State Secretary said that Hungarian diplomacy was in touch with both the Ukrainian government and the opposition. The Hungarian ambassador to Kiev met the Ukrainian foreign minister on Wednesday afternoon, he said.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs)