EU considers more bans on Russia over Ukraine crisis
The European Union says it is considering more sanctions against Russia as part of what it calls diplomatic efforts to end the crisis in Ukraine.
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European Council President Herman Van Rompuy made the comments on Saturday on the sidelines of the G۲۰ summit, which brings together the leaders of the world’s 20 biggest industrialized and developing economies in Brisbane, Australia.
“I want to restate that the European Union continues to believe that there can only be political solution to the crisis. We will continue to use all diplomatic tools, including sanctions, at our disposal,” he said.
Rompuy also reiterated Western allegations that Russia is permitting the flow of arms to pro-Russian groups operating in eastern Ukraine, and accused Moscow of establishing a military presence in the region. The Kremlin has repeatedly denied such claims.
“The EU foreign ministers will on Monday assess the situation on the ground and discuss possible further steps,” Rompuy added.
Rompuy also urged the parties involved in the Ukraine conflict to comply with the terms of the peace agreement they signed on September 5.
In recent months, the Western states have imposed sanctions on Russia, including on its financial and energy sectors, putting a number of Russian nationals close to President Vladimir Putin on a sanctions list.
In a tit-for-tat measure, Moscow also imposed year-long food bans on the United States, the EU, Australia, Canada and Norway in August. The move is estimated to cost European agricultural industries millions of dollars.
Ukraine’s mainly Russian-speaking regions became the scene of deadly clashes between pro-Russia protesters and the Ukrainian army after the government in Kiev launched military operations in mid-April in a bid to crush protests.
