EU to discuss new sanctions against Russia next week – RBC

EU to discuss new sanctions against Russia next week – RBC

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini

​​Photo: REUTERS 2014

As reported by Reuters, this Mogerini said during a speech in Berlin.

«Next week on Monday we will have a meeting at the ministerial level in Brussels, where he will discussion is not only to increase penalties, but more on how to support Ukraine in these difficult times, “- she told reporters at a meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Earlier, EU leaders refused mitigate the sanctions, arguing that the situation in Ukraine remains difficult.

November 3 official representative of the European External Action Service Kosyanchich Maya said that after the last day before the elections in the breakaway republics of Donbass EU countries are going to discuss the situation. According to her, this is what will be discussed at a meeting of the Council of the EU for Foreign Affairs on 17 November. However Kosyanchich talked about a meeting at the level of Permanent Representatives of the discussion at the ministerial speech was not.

Kosyanchich then recalled that the restrictive measures against Russia are reviewed regularly. “Restrictive measures are constantly audited, and so remains to this day” – so Kosyanchich answered the question of whether the election will affect the DNI and LC on the EU’s decision to reconsider the sanctions.

The same day, the EU ambassador in Russia Vygaudas Usackas said that sanctions against Russia may be revised. However, according to him, at the moment the grounds for the lifting of sanctions is not. In turn, Russia’s permanent representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov expressed the hope that the EU will not toughen sanctions against Russia after the elections to the DNI and LC.

The European Union unveiled a new package of sanctions against Russia September 12, 2014. They affected the oil industry, aeronautics and defense industry. Additionally imposed restrictions for exports to Russia goods and dual-use technologies that can be used in both civil and defense industries, technologies and equipment required for offshore development, and access to capital markets.

In particular, the EU imposed new sanctions against Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank and VEB Rosselhozbanka. From 1 August 2014 all EU citizens and companies are prohibited from buying or selling these Russian banks issued new shares, bonds, or “similar financial instruments” with a maturity of more than 90 days.

Under the new sanctions were also “Rosneft”, “Transneft”, “Gazprom Neft”, UralVagonZavod, United Aircraft Corporation and holding “Oboronprom”. EU citizens and European companies are barred from conducting transactions with securities of maturities of more than 30 days. Also, these companies are prohibited transactions with accounts in European banks, investment advice, portfolio management and organization of placements.

Earlier, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that now there is no reason for the lifting of sanctions against Moscow. In addition, she expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that Russia supported the last elections in the Donbass.

In late September, President Barack Obama, speaking at the opening of the 69th UN General Assembly, called his condition the lifting of sanctions.

«US lift sanctions in the event that Russia will take the path of peace and diplomacy” – then said Obama.