Punishment against Russia will be lifted once the situation in Eastern Ukraine starts to show signs of positive development, said Minister of foreign Affairs of Austria Sebastian Kurz. "Austria is not against the EU sanctions (against Russia), Austria has always supported the position of the European countries. But what we think is the fact that always seek to maintain ties with Russia for negotiations And find a peaceful solution to the conflict, But it is not this means that we are against punishment. Punishment will be lifted when the positive evolution of the situation on the ground ", – he said. The Minister expressed hope that the ceasefire will be reached, And made other points of the Minsk agreements "." in this case, punishment will be lifted ", – noticed Kurtz, reports RIA " Novosti ". According to his statement, the European Union is not currently discussing the possibility of making a new referendum on independence of the Crimea in compliance with all international standards And under the supervision of the OSCE." at the moment there is discussion about a new referendum " – said Kurtz." I am a young politician who welcomes direct democracy, for this reason, I have no issues with referendums. Problems appear only in the case if not followed all the rules And regulations of the referendum. And I think in this case it is quite clear, because it was unfair And ill-prepared referendum " – considers the Austrian Minister. Remember, on 22 June, the EU Council formally extended punishment against Russia for another six months, until 31 January 2016. In the Ministry of foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation said that Moscow is disappointed by the decision of Brussels on the extension of economic sanctions against Russia, noting that the EU is deliberately ignoring the fact that the extension of restrictive measures will result in the loss of jobs to hundreds of thousands of Europeans. The President's press Secretary Dmitry Peskov called the extension of EU sanctions against Russia unjustified And illegal, and the speaker of the State Duma of Russia Sergei Naryshkin –violation of the decisions of the UN security Council resolution. Later, the Manager Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the extension of protective measures, starting from 6 August 2015, and the government of the Russian Federation issued a decree on the renewal of countermeasures relative to the countries that supported the punishment.