In the event of an offensive in the Donbass, the EU will introduce new sanctions against Russia
Moscow – Kiev, November 18 (PolitNavigator, Mikhail Stamm) – The EU will tighten sanctions against Russia if Donbas separatists launch an offensive, Kommersant reports , citing its sources in Brussels.
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As the publication’s interlocutor in Brussels reported, the issue of tightening restrictive measures against a number of sectors of the Russian economy may be on the agenda of the European Union summit scheduled for December 18-19. “In the event of an aggravation of the situation in the southeast of Ukraine, this instrument may be used again,” he said.
Another newspaper source in one of the key EU states explained that the “red line” for Brussels is “an attempt by Moscow-backed separatists to seize new territories beyond what they control today.”
At the same time, the EU began to search for new ways to reduce tensions around Ukraine and change the negative trend in relations with Moscow. Frank-Walter Steinmeier spoke about one of the methods proposed by the EU: “If we remember how nervously Russia reacted to the agreement on a free trade zone between Ukraine and the EU and how nervously the European Union reacted to the creation of the Eurasian Union, then contacts with the participation of EU representatives could be a new approach and the Eurasian Union. A meeting of both organizations could be the first contribution to softening relations.”
This issue may become the subject of discussion during today's visit of Mr. Steinmeier to Moscow and negotiations between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Federica Mogherini - according to the newspaper, they may take place in early December as part of a meeting of OSCE foreign ministers.
In the event of an offensive in Donbas , the EU will impose new sanctions against Russia.