WSJ: EU seeks withdrawal penalties and strengthening ties with Russia

The European Union can weaken penalties for Russia and again to start dialogues on a range of issues, if Russia is to help normalize the situation in Ukraine. About it, according to information reported in the document, which was prepared in Brussels for a meeting of Ministers of foreign Affairs of the EU countries on January 19.

according to WSJ, the document raises the question of "more active" position of the EU in relations with Russia, and among them about possible compromise." a similar process should be done selectively and gradually, weighting it with a positive action from Russia ", - stated in the document.

the paper proposes to share the punishment of the EU into two groups: those related to the annexation of Crimea to Russia and other who have the ability to be removed by normalizing the situation in the East of Ukraine. The WSJ highlights that the increased punishment of the question.

according to the publication, the paper proposes Also to strengthen ties with Russia in three areas: foreign policy, trade, and industry cooperation. For example, it mentions closer cooperation between the EU and Russia in the fight against " Islamic countries ", interaction in the sphere of the middle East settlement, and equally in the interaction with Libya and Iran.

similarly informs about the possibility of establishing formal relations with the Eurasian economic Union. The condition for this is called the resolution of the existing trade disputes.

in addition, there may be a resumption of negotiations on visa-free regime, provided that Moscow would make concessions on the issue of personal data of passengers travelling to the Russian Federation by foreign airlines.


The US and EU do not recognize the annexation of Crimea to Russia and accuse Moscow of interfering in Ukraine. Russia denies it and calls the accusations are unacceptable. Western countries since March has repeatedly imposed punishment on a number of Russian politicians, businessmen and organizations and threatened to make wider restrictive measures.

A complete list of Russian Citizens and organizations who are under punishment, -


sections: Politics