The Ukraine conflict is high on the agenda of two days of informal talks between European Union foreign ministers who are gathering in Latvia’s capital, Riga.
According to officials in Latvia, which currently chairs the EU Council, the talks will focus on the conflict in Ukraine -- including tensions between the EU and Russia over Moscow's deployments of troops and weaponry there, and the implementation of the Minsk cease-fire agreements for eastern Ukraine.
On the eve of the gathering, European foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said the ministers would consider additional sanctions against Russia over its support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Maja Kocijancic, spokeswoman for EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, said ministers from the 28 EU member countries would also discuss the possible use of international peacekeepers in Ukraine.
Also on the agenda are preparations for the EU’s Eastern Partnership summit in May.