At the beginning of the open on Thursday in Brussels EU summit European press writes About has arisen in the European Union the debate regarding the need to strengthen the sanctions regime with respect to Russia.

in the process the two-day meeting in Brussels, European leaders will discuss the extension of the punishment against Russia over the situation in Ukraine. In July expires restrictive measures against the financial, energy and military sectors of the Russian Federation.

European Parliament President Martin Schulz in the interview to the German newspaper States the right split among Europeans and associates it with the Russian propaganda. Schultz cites the example of the French far-right party national front, led by marine Le Pen, which, according to his statement, " more or not more openly making the location of Putin ".

German printed publication also informs about existing differences among EU countries in the matter of the anti-punishment. Certain countries, such as Greece, expressed doubts on the appropriateness of extending restrictive measures in trade and investment, because, As stressed print edition, European countries have significant economic losses due to the sanctions policy of the Russian Federation. According to the publication, on the preservation of punishment as long as long as the conflict in the East of Ukraine will not be solved, pushing the countries of Eastern Europe.

As reported, punitive measures against Russia will be one of the most delicate topics at the meeting of the foreign Ministers of the EU countries. Review newspaper, a possible compromise may be to anchor economic penalties progress of the Minsk agreement. This would mean that restrictive measures will be extended until the summer.

About reels in serried ranks the EU and writes the British press. Authoritative devoted to This subject for publication. Review of the publication, the odds of European countries on the issue of recompense for the aggression of President Putin in Ukraine " have the opportunity to become the cause of the collapse of sanctions against Russia." The efforts of the UK and other hawks put on valaisiana the extension of economic sanctions, apparently, failed, which means that the decision will be delayed until the summer, " writes the print edition. It is estimated that France, Italy and Spain are the most important voices in the camp of the opponents of the anti-punishment. Simultaneously, the United Kingdom, the Nordic countries and the Baltic States consider that the preservation of existing restrictions is essential to maintain pressure on the Russian Federation, but at the same time they recognize that " faced a serious fight."

As pointed out by another influential British publication, UK - one of those "hawks" who want all of the sanctions measures concerning persons and organizations remained in force as long as long as a heavy weapons Russia will be withdrawn from Eastern Ukraine." We consider it important that the EU was United in his own address and decisive answer of Russia that We don't do punishment as long as long as the Minsk agreement will not be fully done, " is the message one of the officials in the text.

It also specifies that EU leaders at the upcoming summit will discuss not only the need for additional sanctions with respect to Russia, but the measures of reducing Europe's dependence on gas from Russia.

The opinion of the British Times share the French. Print edition emphasizes that after a lull in the fighting in the Ukraine, Rome and Madrid are in favour of the abolition of the anti-Russian financial penalties. For their extension serve London and Washington.

print publication cites the Opinion of the head of the European Council Donald Tusk about the fact that in the EU it is difficult to maintain unity on the issue Of sanctions in connection with Ukrainian conflict, since not all countries have the same view on this issue." It's not easy because the EU does not hide the fact that they have different points of view and different desires. There is no doubt that We do not have a common foreign policy of the 28 EU countries, " said Tusk.

sections: Politics