LOC23:37
20:37 GMT
PARIS, March 17 (KUNA) -- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Monday
warned Russia it would face tougher sanctions over the annexing of the Crimea
region of Ukraine after yesterday's hastily-arranged referendum in the region.
Fabius said the dispute with Russia over Ukraine's territorial integrity
was "the most serious crisis since the end of the Cold War."
He affirmed that the vote "had absolutely no value because it was contrary
to the Ukrainian Constitution and contrary to international law."
The French Foreign Minister was due to travel to Moscow on Tuesday for
bilateral talks but a decision on whether he was going to maintain the visit
was still not taken late Monday.
Fabius also warned Russia that the international community would not stand
idly by and allow the annexation of Crimea or other Russian snatching of
Ukrainian territory under the pretext it contained a majority of Russian
speakers.
France's chief diplomat said that the Russian action threatened the
security of all borders in the world and without this security we could face
an abominable conflict.
France has joined with other European Union countries in voting some
sanctions against 21 Russian and Ukrainian figures who have collaborated on
the annexation or who support the Russian government.
These are principally financial - freezing of assets - and administrative,
denying visas for travel in Europe.
Further economic sanctions "that would hit the heart of the economy" in
Russia would be taken if Moscow threatens further annexations in Ukraine.
Fabius warned that France would not hesitate to take further, concerted
action against Russia, even cancel major military contracts and refuse to
allow training of Russian sailors in France.
The French government has contracted to supply the Russian navy with two
giant "Mistral-class" transport and landing ships, which are currently under
construction, and about 400 Russian sailors are due in France in the coming
months for training on-site.
"If Putin continues on the path he is on we could envisage cancelling these
sales," Fabius said. "If we go to stage three of sanctions, they (the sailors)
won't be able to come."
The Foreign Minister also said that Europe would support Ukraine and would
sign an Association Agreement next Friday with Kiev.
He also hinted that the EU could supply the Ukrainian army with weapons
because they face Russian intimidation in the Eastern parts of the country.
(end)
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KUNA 172337 Mar 14NNNN