EU High Representative Federica Mogherini speaks during a joint news conference with Secretary of State John Kerry, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 (Photo: AP)
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini announced an urgent meeting of European foreign ministers Thursday to map out the bloc's response to the latest violence in Ukraine by pro-Russia separatists.
"I'm convening an extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council next Thursday on the situation in Ukraine," Mogherini said on her Twitter account Sunday, a day after she appealed directly to Moscow to intervene to stop the offensive that killed 30 people over the weekend.
Following a wave of rocket attacks by separatists from the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic against the Kiev-controlled port of Mariupol, Mogherini warned Saturday the escalation of violence "would inevitably lead to a further grave deterioration of relations between the EU and Russia."
"I call ... openly upon Russia to use its considerable influence over separatist leaders and to stop any form of military, political or financial support," her statement said.
Similarly US Vice President Joe Biden warned that costs would "continue to rise" for Russia over its intervention against its western neighbour and its military support for the revolt -- a charge Moscow flatly denies.
In talks Sunday with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed the upsurge in fighting in eastern Ukraine on government forces he said were "constantly" shelling towns.
"Sergei Lavrov pointed out that an escalation of the situation is a result of Ukrainian troops crudely violating the Minsk agreements by constantly shelling residential settlements," the foreign ministry said in a statement, referring to a September ceasefire deal.
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