Ex-Polish PM Tusk calls for a resolute EU strategy on Russia

The European Union’s efforts in support of Ukraine will fail without a resolute strategy vis-à-vis Russia, European Council Chairman Donald Tusk told reporters.

“The situation is dramatic, dynamic and it calls for a rapid reaction,” Tusk said ahead of his first session in the chair of the European Council, Polish Radio reports.

“But we will not find a solution for Ukraine without an appropriate, consistent, resolute and responsible strategy towards Russia.”

The priority for the EU should be to safeguard Ukraine’s independence and ensure the country’s development into a modern, stable nation.

The EU should extend measures of determined support for Ukraine, the former Polish prime minister said, naming tougher sanctions on Russian-annexed Crimea as an example.