In a press release following the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on February 20, 2014, the European Council announced that “[i]n light of the deteriorating situation, the EU has decided as a matter of urgency to introduce targeted sanctions” in Ukraine. This will include an “asset freeze and visa ban against those responsible for human rights violations, violence and use of excessive force.” In addition, “Member States agreed to suspend export licences on equipment which might be used for internal repression.” The Council also directed the “relevant Working Parties to make the necessary preparations immediately.”