According to a statement about the meeting released by the Latvian Foreign Ministry, "Vice President Biden expressed appreciation for the decisions by the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January over the deteriorating situation in the eastern Ukraine."
At that meeting, EU Foreign Ministers decided to keep existing sanctions in place and ask the European Commission and heads of state to take responsibility for enacting any new sanctions.
"Both the Latvian Foreign Minister and the U.S. Vice President concurred that EU member states should pursue a common approach on vital issues, including their position in relations with Russia, given recent developments in the east of Ukraine," the statement said.
"Close coordination between the EU and the U.S. will be required to normalise the situation in Europe. The Foreign Ministers and Vice President were also in agreement that Ukraine must forward with structural reforms to facilitate the development of the country. At the same time, the international community should establish a financial support programme that can stimulate Ukraine’s economic recovery."
On his part, Rinkēvičs thanked the US for its support provided within the NATO framework and the presence of the US troops in Latvia.
