Source: head of the foreign Ministry, the EU agreed to extend sanctions against Russia and militias
The Ministers of foreign Affairs of the member countries of the European Union completed the discussion of new restrictive measures concerning Russia and decided to extend until September of individual sanctions against the country, as Well as militias in the Donbass, said the European diplomat. "The agreement was reached," Plotnikov said, RIA " Novosti "." Existing measures will be extended. It is a political decision to extend these measures until September, " - said the Source. The head of the MFA of the 28 member countries of the European Union decided to hold an extraordinary meeting on Ukraine on Thursday. With a call to convene such a meeting was organized by presidency of the EU Latvia, due to the sharp escalation in the Donbass. While sources in the EU structures differed regarding whether during this meeting adopted decisions on the introduction of new penalties regarding Russia. First of Greece expressed dissatisfaction ignoring EU positions Athens on sanctions against Russia. A diplomatic Source in Athens said that the anti-Russian communiqu? of the EU without the signature of Greece has no power. However, later, the new Minister of Finance of Greece Janis Varufakis said that the media falsely interpreted the message of Athens, and incorrectly assumed that Greece will veto the extension of the punishment. A source in Brussels before stated, Austria, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, France and the Czech Republic Also supports the abolition of the punishment. On Tuesday, the leaders of the countries of the European Union instructed the Ministers of foreign Affairs to take measures for the introduction of new restrictive measures concerning Russia. It was also noted that the heads of the foreign ministries of the countries of the European Union have the opportunity to ask the European Commission to prepare on Thursday fresh restrictive measures against Russia. However, the final decision will be made on 12 February. Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in connection With the situation in Ukraine. The EU and the US on the background of the progress of the Minsk agreements Between Kiev and militias Donbass about stopping the fire entered against Russia penalties against financial, oil and defense industries.