As the Danish foreign minister, Martin Lidegaard (R), travels through Ukraine this week speaking to political leaders in the embattled nation, the interim president, Oleksandr Turtjynov, voiced his appreciation.
Lidegaard met a number of leaders, including Turtjynov, in Kiev yesterday – also stopping to light a candle at the Maidan Square – and is travelling to the eastern part of the country today to meet with the newly-appointed governor of Donetsk, Sergej Taruta.
“Your country has always supported us, even when the blood flowed in the streets of Kiev. We feel that support now again and this meeting is a symbol of that,” Turtjynov said at a press conference. “We are counting on aid from the EU, and we trust that the European leaders make the right decision.”
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Danish aid forthcoming
The EU has set aside 83 billion kroner for an aid package for the nation and Lidegaard pledged that Denmark was ready to help.
“It was a very direct meeting that gave insight into the situation Ukraine is facing,” Lidegaard said according to Politiken newspaper. “They need financial aid and Denmark is ready to contribute, judicially and financially.”
Lidegaard went on to contend that Denmark would consider pressuring Russia with financial sanctions if the situation in the Crimea peninsula didn’t improve.
The EU leaders are scheduled to all meet in Brussels today to discuss the situation in Ukraine, including how to react to Russia’s actions.