The EU condemned Russia over Syria without mentioning the possibility of sanctions – RBC

Photo: AP Photo/Virginia Mayo

At the summit, the EU condemned Russia over Syria, but did not announce the possibility of sanctions. Bloomberg, citing a draft statement for the summit, wrote that the EU threatened Moscow with new restrictive measures

EU Leaders “strongly condemned” the attacks of government forces and its allies — particularly Russia — on the civilian population in Syria, the statement said the EU summit in Brussels. How to pay attention to Reuters, in a statement reported agreement to “consider all options” if Syria “crime” but does not indicate that these options include new sanctions.

As stated by the President of the European Council Donald Tusk at a press conference after the summit, Russia aims to weaken the European Union. “The leaders noted all kinds of Russian hostile actions against violations of airspace to information campaigns, cyber attacks, interference in the political processes of the EU and its limits”, he said.

however, Tusk stressed that “create tension” with Russia is not an EU objective. “We just react to the steps taken by Russia. Of course, the EU is always ready to dialogue, but we will not compromise your values and principles,” he said. “So we decided to stay the course and against all odds to preserve the unity of the European Union,” he added.

Previously available to the Agency Bloomberg was a draft statement for the summit of EU leaders, which contained the following wording: “the EU considers all options, including restrictive measures against individuals and organizations if the violence does not stop”.

On the Bloomberg on the eve of responded the press Secretary of the Russian President of Russia Dmitry Peskov. “First we need to wait for a final resolution,” he said.

on 16 October the Financial Times, citing a senior diplomatic officer of the EU wrote that the EU leaders at the summit in Brussels on 20-21 October to discuss the secret intervention of Russia in the political processes in Europe. The sources said that the intelligence agencies of several countries have received evidence that Moscow may be involved in the financing of populist movements and extreme right parties.