Douglas Alexander MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, said:

“The scale of the crisis that we now face needs to be met with a more robust and coordinated EU response to Russia’s actions.

“Labour is calling on the government to urgently seek an emergency meeting of European Heads of Government. Only a full meeting of the European Council will be able to take the necessary diplomatic action required.

“Today’s meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers in Brussels is welcome, but the truth is that a meeting of Ministers will not be the forum in which sufficient diplomatic capital can be gathered and robust steps agreed.

“European leaders must now follow the lead that has been taken by President Obama, and the EU now needs to wake up to the realities of Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine.

“We need not just sorrow for the victims of flight MH17, but strength in the face of continued Russian aggression in Eastern Ukraine.”