Poland has 'limited faith' in Russia sanctions

Ukrainian army fires during fighting between militants and Ukrainian forces in Donetsk region, in Ukraine, 29 August 2014. NATO said 29 August that it believes that well more than 1,000 regular Russian troops are fighting in Ukraine, adding heft to similar accusations by the Ukrainian government. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has ridiculed Western claims of a Russian military incursion in Ukraine. EPA/ROMAN PILIPEY

“I have limited faith that strengthened EU sanctions against Russia will be effective,” Poland's foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Monday after national leaders in Brussels gave Moscow a week to de-escalate the crisis in Ukraine, otherwise Brussels will strengthen sanctions.

“Sanctions will have an effect later, but there is war in Ukraine now,” Sikorski told the TVN24 broadcaster during a visit to Moldova.

Earlier, Sikorski – who has been pushing for a tough stand against Russia – said that the credibility of diplomatic efforts by the German government to end the crisis is at stake.

Outgoing European Council President Herman Van Rompuy refused at the weekend to set out specific criteria for triggering fresh sanctions but said there was a "determination" among the 28 EU leaders to ensure Russia paid an appropriate price for heightening tensions.

The moves comes as up to 1000 Russian soldiers were reported to have entered Ukraine last week.

Heavy fighting continued on Monday in eastern Ukraine, with Ukrainian troops withdrawing from an airport in Luhansk after all-night clashes with pro-Russian separatists.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, meeting with Ukrainian negotiators in Minsk, Belarus, called for an “immediate ceasefire” while talks continue. (pg)