The EU failed to introduce new sanctions against Russia
At the next EU summit, which will be held in Brussels, a new package of anti-Russian sanctions will not be introduced due to the lack of consensus in the European Union, Kommersant reports.
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A senior diplomat representing one of the key EU countries explained to the publication that today it is very important “not to violate the consensus within the European Union and not to create artificial tension where this can be avoided.”
“With regard to new sanctions against Moscow, it is impossible to reach consensus today,” the newspaper’s interlocutor admitted. — Some EU members, on the contrary, demand a weakening of the existing sanctions imposed because of Ukraine. Moreover, sanctions pressure on the Kremlin will in no way help soften its position in Aleppo. Quite the contrary, it can only cause further escalation.”
At the same time, the publication notes that during the meeting of foreign ministers of EU countries that preceded the summit in Brussels, only the representative of Lithuania publicly stated the need for the speedy adoption of a new package of sanctions in connection with Russia’s actions in Syria.
“However, his opponents were two political heavyweights of the EU - the heads of the Foreign Ministries of France and Italy. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault warned against “a cycle of sanctions for the sake of sanctions,” Kommersant points out. “And his Italian colleague Paolo Gentiloni called proposals for a new package of sanctions against Russia “unrealistic and unproductive.” The Polish President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, who has gained a reputation as a supporter of tough measures against Moscow, was forced to urgently backtrack, calling on European leaders to make every effort to preserve the unity of EU member states and continue dialogue with Moscow.”
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