The United States welcomes the outcome of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council on Ukraine in the wake of the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 near Donetsk, Ukraine. Today, the Council agreed to accelerate preparation of additional sanctions agreed upon at the European Council on July 16, and to introduce a package of additional restrictive measures – including access to capital markets; defense; dual use goods; and sensitive technologies, including in the energy sector – if Russia does not cooperate immediately and in full with the Council’s demands, including stopping the supply of weapons, equipment, and militants to Ukraine, and withdrawing its additional troops from the border area.

The EU also called for separatist groups to ensure full, immediate, safe, and secure access to allow a full, transparent international investigation in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines. The United States and Europe will continue to work to ensure that those responsible for the downing of flight MH17 are brought to justice.