EU to extend Russia sanctions over Ukraine
The European Union, EU extended by six months an existing
set of sanctions against Russian and pro-Russia separatist officials because of
the continued fighting in eastern Ukraine and was planning further action,
officials said Thursday.
"We have shown that the EU is ready to take further
measures," EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said, reports AP.
All EU foreign ministers at Thursday's meeting in Brussels,
including the new Greek minister, agreed on the extension, Dutch Foreign
Minister Bert Koenders said, calling it a "strong signal toward
Russia."
There had been wariness over whether the new radical
left-wing government in Greece would immediately fall in line with the actions
against Russia.
Consensus was found but some pointed out that instead of
mentioning the threat of economic sanctions, the joint statement only mentioned
"any appropriate action" was on the table for the Feb. 12 EU summit
of government leaders. It was wording seen as a concession to those seeking to
keep dialogue going with Russia.
France and some others said that while firmness was
essential, room for negotiation had to be kept open.
Denmark was pleased no such rash action was taken Thursday.
"It makes sense that we don't decide on economic
sanctions before we see how Russia will behave. We still have the hope that
this will be the push to Russia to go to the negotiation table," said Danish
Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard.
Mogherini insisted though that "When I say any action,
it means any."
She said that on top of Thursday's decision to extend the
first batch of sanctions, the EU was also preparing a list of new officials to
be put on the visa ban and asset freeze program, which could be confirmed as
soon as February 9.
"We hope that this can help in putting pressure, in
particular on Russia, to make positive steps and prevent the negative steps
that we have seen in the recent days," Mogherini said.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said "one might
reasonably conclude" that the U.S. is considering additional sanctions on
Russia, though he said there were no specific plans to announce at this time.
He said the White House was in close contact with European counterparts.
Last March, the EU imposed the first visa bans and asset
freezes against officials linked to Russia's annexation of southern Ukraine's
Crimean Peninsula. The measures were due to expire this March, and Thursday's
decision will extend them until at least September.
Pressure for more action has been building since last
weekend's attacks on Mariupol, when rockets crashed into a densely populated
eastern district, killing 30 and wounding several dozen. International
observers said a preliminary assessment indicated the attack had been mounted
from rebel-held areas.
Since Russia's annexation of Crimea, the EU has steadily
increased restrictive measures. In July, the EU imposed economic sanctions
which, combined with the drop in oil prices, have stung Moscow.
Meanwhile, Russia has extended its walkout from Europe's
human rights watchdog after again losing its right to vote over the conflict in
eastern Ukraine. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, meeting
in the French city of Strasbourg on Wednesday, voted to renew sanctions against
Russia at least until April. Russian delegate Alexei Pushkov said Thursday that
his delegation's walkout would continue the rest of the year.
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