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Poland defends EU sanctions against Russia

PR dla Zagranicy
Nick Hodge 26.07.2014 12:44
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has defended a newly drafted package of EU sanctions against Russia.
EPA/MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV EPA/MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV

Russian
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. EPA/MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV

The minister's comments came after Russia's ambassador to the UK said the expansion of sanctions was “illegal” and “may well trigger a long anticipated endgame of the present global crisis.”

In an interview with the UK's Channel 4 news, Sikorski said “we know that we will pay a price for sanctions, but I am afraid they have become necessary to censor behaviour that just cannot stand.

“Fanning separatism and delivering heavy weaponry, also anti-aircraft weaponry which was so tragically used against the Malaysian plane in which so many citizens of the EU died, is unacceptable,” he said,

“Denying obvious facts is also unacceptable.”

The draft package formulated in Brussels has increased the number of Russians subjected to asset freezes and travel bans by 15 people and 18 organisations, raising the total to 87 and 20 respectively.

Plans were also laid to cut back Russia's access to European capital markets, and to block exports of arms.

“Let's hope that Russia takes note and returns to cooperation with the Russian community,” Sikorski said.

European Council President Herman Van Rompuy has stated that he hopes the agreement will be cemented on Tuesday. (nh)

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