FT: the EU has not hide contradictions in the issue of sanctions against Russia

The Ministers of foreign Affairs of the member countries of the European Union does not actually do anything to hide the contradictions that arise between the European States in the anti-punishment, writes.

"Hawks" in the matter of punishments, such as the UK and the Baltic States, want to extend anti-Russian actions in the energy, financial and military-industrial sectors. Such actions, as they believe, would allow the EU to put pressure on the Russian Federation in case of default of the terms of the Minsk agreements, and the Ukraine to regain oversight over their borders by the end of 2015, highlights magazine.

However, France, Italy and Spain, despite the circumstances with Debaltsevo, which could push the EU to toughen penalties in recent weeks was given to understand that they are not prepared to risk the small successes of the Minsk agreement and to provoke Moscow, reported in the publication.

"Back-up option for European leaders on Thursday is the announcement that the punishment will not be charged until then, as long as the Minsk agreement will not be fully implemented, including a clearly defined border between Ukraine and Russia under the control of the Kiev authorities. Even to coordinate with the language extremely hard, the staff of the foreign Ministry (involved in discussion - approx. Ed.) , "writes FT.

Meeting of Ministers of foreign Affairs of the European Union on the first day of the week, on the day of the year before the Crimean referendum showed the split between EU countries, which can be expressed at the conference of heads of EU on March 19-20. European officials fear that the current impasse on the issue of punishment is not solved and in June, when the question arises about their continuation, the journal emphasizes.

Support tougher penalties and head of the European Council Donald Tusk, and the government of America. However, despite all their efforts, the tightening of anti-Russian actions in the nearest time is unlikely to happen. The overwhelming majority of EU countries want the decision was left up to June, writes the FT Recalling European high position policy.


Western countries from March 2014 has repeatedly imposed sentences because of the position of Russia in Ukraine. The last case of the use of such practices were the limits imposed in March 2015, when was expanded US sanction List.

A list of Russian citizens and organizations that have come under penalties - in the material of the Fin news


sections: Politics