Schetyna: Sanctions against Russia should be upheld

Speaking to Polish Radio, Schetyna said that “Sanctions against Russia should be maintained. We are not discussing suspending them. There were suggestions not to increase them.”

Schetyna was commenting reports in weekly Der Spiegel, where German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that “It cannot be in our interest that [these sanctions run] out of control.”

Steinmeier referred to the dramatic headlong fall of the Russian rouble currency, and the potential negative side effects of a failing Russian economy.

It is imperative not to exacerbate sanctions and knock out Russia, Schetyna added. The West should not soften its stance towards Russia, until the Kremlin “stops violating international law,” Schetyna concluded.

The trade embargos were applied by the EU and US following alleged Russian involvement in the Ukrainian conflict. (rg)