Frank-Walter Steinmeier met the Ukrainian Prime Minister Arsenyi Yatsenyuk and the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Deshchytsia at the airport. His visit underlined once more Germany’s endeavours to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine: the focus of his trip was on security issues.

The German Federal Foreign Minister again called for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to play an important part in Ukraine. Because of the precarious situation it is important to support the establishment of a "national dialogue", he said. The OSCE has announced that a "round table" co-chaired by former German Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger is to begin work on Wednesday.

"Together we are also supporting your approach to launch a national dialogue under Ukrainian ownership – through round tables at central level and in the regions," said Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

The minister also met OSCE representatives and the interim President Oleksandr Turchynov.

Visit to Odessa

Frank-Walter Steinmeier gained a first-hand impression of the situation on the ground in Odessa, where more than 40 people were killed in a fire on 2 May. The Federal Foreign Minister condemned the outbreaks of violence in the strongest possible terms.

Stepping up sanctions

At their meeting on Monday in Brussels, the 28 ministers of foreign affairs of the European Union (EU) tightened existing sanctions on Russia. In response to the break-away and annexation of Crimea, travel bans and asset freezes were imposed on another 13 individuals.

The assets of two companies were also frozen. Travel bans had previously been imposed on 48 Ukrainians and Russians. Frank-Walter Steinmeier said further-reaching sanctions would have to be considered if the Ukrainian presidential elections scheduled for 25 May should be obstructed or even prevented.