Federica Mogherini
Economic sanctions of EU against Russia are likely to be extended. This was stated by EU high representative for foreign Affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini on Monday, June 19, RIA Novosti reported.
According to the head of European diplomacy, Brussels is watching developments in the implementation by Moscow of Minsk agreements. “I have decided to extend the existing sanctions,” she said.
Mogherini added that this issue will be discussed after the EU summit, which will take place on June 22-23. She added that the decision “has until the end of July.”
Earlier on Monday the foreign Ministers of member countries of the European Union without debate on a year extended sanctions against Crimea and Sevastopol. Press Secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow is negatively evaluate this decision.
June 14, the U.S. Senate approved a bill to expand anti-Russian sanctions. The concern with this decision was expressed by Germany and Austria.
A number of countries, including the US and the EU, gradually began to impose sanctions against Moscow since March 2014. They explained their decision by the situation in Eastern Ukraine and the annexation of Crimea to Russia, and their abolition was subsequently tied to the implementation of the Minsk agreements. In response, Russia imposed in August 2014 the food embargo, which is valid until 31 December 2017 with possible extension.
The Minsk agreements — a document adopted in February 2015 leaders of Germany, France, Ukraine and Russia. It is aimed at de-escalation of the armed conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Moscow believes that Kiev does not fulfill the provisions stipulated in the agreements.