The EU has shown firmness in the matter of sanctions against Russia before the G7 – RIA Novosti

Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Germany), June 7 – RIA Novosti, Maria Knyazev, Maria Gusarov. The head of the European Council, Donald Tusk before the summit “Big Seven” showed determination to prolong sanctions against Russia for violations Minsk agreement and hope that the G7 will express a common position on the sanctions regime against the Russian Federation in connection with the situation in Ukraine.

Tusk said that the evening of June 7, that is, on the first day of the summit, the leaders will discuss policies relations between Ukraine and Russia in the light of the latest wave of escalation of tension in the east of Ukraine. He called the situation “the most serious violation of the agreements with Minsk in February” of the year.

“I would like to stress that in March, the European Council made a political decision to link our sanctions regime in Russia with a full implementation of the Minsk Agreement. It is my intention to Today we have confirmed the unity of the “Big Seven” policy of sanctions. Let me make it clear that taking into account the current situation, if someone wants to start a debate on changing the sanctions regime, the debate can only affect their tightening, “- said Tusk.

EU leaders in March agreed to link the sanctions and the Minsk Agreement, assuming that the performance of the latter will come only at the end of the year. This decision resulted in the need to prolong the already existing economic sanctions the EU, because they will expire at the end of July.

Tusk said that the European Union continues to strongly support the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

Earlier, the Ukrainian government and the US and the EU have repeatedly accused Moscow of interfering in the affairs of Ukraine. Russia denies it and calls the accusations unacceptable. Moscow has repeatedly stated that it is not a party to the Ukrainian domestic conflict and is not implicated in the events in the southeast, is interested in the fact that Ukraine has overcome the political and economic crisis.

The Russian Foreign Ministry and the Kremlin has repeatedly stated that the Russian military on the territory of Ukraine is not – no one still can not present concrete evidence, despite repeated accusations.

The summit in the mountains

In the Bavarian Elmau Castle (near the town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in the south Germany) held June 7-8 meeting of leaders of the “Big Seven” – Germany, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Japan and the UK. Russia, which was adopted in “seven” in 1998, from 2014 excluded from participation in the meetings of the group because of the events in Ukraine.

The meeting of leaders is accompanied by protests in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Access the media to the summit is limited. In addition, the main press center is separated from the venue of the summit mountains. However, journalists working for the special shuttle – the helicopter, which delivers them to the press events in the castle.

The protest against the G-7 summit in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Sanctions have

Tusk before the summit gave a press conference together with his colleague, the head of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, and which drove dozens of media representatives helicopter.

One of the major events it can be called a statement Tusk that economic sanctions against Russia may be extended in the near future, although sources have reported that this is not done before the summit of EU heads of state.

“I hope that a formal, technical solution, we will arrange to summit EU leaders at the end of June, that is actually in the next days, “- said Tusk.

He said that” sanctions against Russia will be maintained because of the apparent violation of the Minsk Agreement “.

However, extension of economic sanctions is necessary to create and adopt legislation that legally enshrines the effect of the restrictive measures. Prepares similar documents, usually European External Service and the European Commission, then it examines Council of Permanent Representatives of the EU countries in the Union, and after it is adopted by the Board of Ministers of the Union.

A source close to the leadership of the EU, said RIA Novosti Tusk’s statement on the decision to extend the sanctions.

“I think Tusk was referring to a legislative act. However, I think the next few days – it is a very short period of time. I think he meant that we already have a political decision of March, so if there is a good consensus (in the EU) on the subject, there is no need to discuss this topic at the summit on 25-26 June, because to do so (to prolong the sanctions) could be earlier, “- he said.

“I think it’s more an opportunity than a fact. Let’s see how it will work. If it is possible to do this, and do this before – if not, we’ll do it later. Deadline – this is the end of July, there is no hurry” – he concluded. In late July, expires economic sanctions, which should be extended.

The decision on sanctions to be taken by unanimous decision of the EU Member States.

The same source, referring to the meeting of the G7 and the anti-Russian sanctions said: “I think today will show leaders of transatlantic solidarity, everyone will agree that we must adhere to the line, even if it is for a long period of time. This is not a single sentence, we will change it only if there will be changes on the ground”.

We would like to be friends

The head of the Council of Europe, Tusk said that he wanted to return to the format of the “Big Eight”, and would like to see Russia as a partner.

“My personal desire – to be a partner of the Russian Federation, rather than have an enemy or economic problem,” – he said.

“Everyone would prefer that Russia was at the table G7, ie G8. But our group – is not only a club of political or economic interests, it is, first of all, a society of values, so Russia is not with us today and will not be invited as long as she behaves aggressively towards Ukraine and other countries ” – Tusk said.

EU expects the Greek proposals

European Commission President Juncker has not bypassed and another wave of Europe theme: the question of Greek reforms. According to him, the corresponding proposal from Greece, in particular, on its Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, has not yet been reported, and he would gladly have studied them.

Juncker recalled that last week he had already Tsipras met with, but then some proposals he did not see.

“Alexis Tsipras, my friend, has promised that by Thursday evening he will present the second sentence, and then he promised to present it on Friday. But I did not get This offer. I have to study it before making his point. I hope that the Greek offer an alternative to reach us soon, “- said the head of the European Commission at a press conference before the summit of G7.

Now Juncker expects to discuss with Greek counterparts reform proposals and lending already at the EU-Latin America, which will be held June 10.

As previously reported, Tsipras also plans to meet and discuss the same topic in the day with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

In turn, the head of the European Council Tusk in his speech said that he considers the Greek question is not only financial, but also a moral issue.

“In fact, Greece is simple: they need the money, lenders need the guarantee of return,” – he said, noting that he considers incorrect the notion that “taking into debt is always morally lenders are always immoral, it is more complicated than some politicians want to show “.