EU's new sanctions against Russia delayed

A Ukrainian serviceman looks to Donetsk city from a roof on damaged multistoried building in the eastern town Avdeevka, near Donetsk, Ukraine, 08 September 2014. EPA/Roman Pilipey

The EU's ambassadors agreed on the new restrictions last Friday in Newport, Wales, and the sanctions were due to be approved on Monday so that they would come into force on Tuesday.

However, the representatives of some countries argued that the enforcement should be pushed back in the light of the ceasefire announced in eastern Ukraine.

“The entry into force [of the new sanctions] through the publication in the Official Journal will take place over the next few days. This will leave time for an assessment of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the peace plan,” EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy said in a press release.

“Depending on the situation on the ground, the EU stands ready to review the agreed sanctions in whole or in part,” the statement went on to say.

According to sources quoted by the Polish Press Agency, the new restrictions broaden the list of targeted Russian companies by 24 entities, including firms from the defence and oil sectors. The sanctions aim to cut off possibilities of capital increases through European financial institutions.

Sources say that Gazprom, Rosneft and Transneft could be on the broadened sanctions list.

Poland is one of those EU member states that speak strongly in favour of sanctions. Meanwhile such countries as Slovakia and Hungary have openly spoken against restrictions.

A EU diplomat told Reuters that the new set of sanctions will most likely be discussed again on Wednesday.

Russia has stressed it could block flights through its airspace if the EU enforces the new sanctions.

There have been sporadic bursts of fighting in the eastern Ukrainian cities Donetsk and Mariupol since the ceasefire was declared. (kw/nh)

Source: PAP, Reuters