Remarks by President Donald Tusk after the first session of the European Council meeting

This evening, we discussed Ukraine and Russia. Leaders decided to align our sanctions regime to the implementation of the Minsk agreements brokered by Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande. The European Council agreed that the duration of economic sanctions will be clearly linked to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, bearing in mind that this is only foreseen by the end of 2015. Additionally, the European Council stands ready to take further decisions if necessary.

We also stressed the need to challenge Russia's ongoing campaign of public disinformation about the conflict in Ukraine. The High Representative will prepare an action plan on strategic communication for the June European Council.

In the meantime, the European Union still stands ready to support the ceasefire process and to respond positively to progress made. And we will continue to support Ukraine's internal reform programme, including financially.

This will be the last time European Union leaders meet together before the Eastern Partnership summit in Riga on May 21st. The European Union is fully committed to the Eastern Partnership. Leaders agreed a priority area is to help build up state institutions and strengthen the rule of law, based on each country's needs and preferences. In other words, the next phase will be about strengthening the democratic institutions to the east.

European Council