German Chancellor Angela Merkel and President of France Emmanuel macron at the summit of EU leaders can recommend to extend sanctions against Russia. It is reported RIA Novosti citing a senior EU official.
According to the interlocutor of journalists, both leaders will share with participants their evaluation of the implementation of the Minsk agreements on settling the situation in Eastern Ukraine.
On 19 June, EU high representative for foreign Affairs and security policy Federica Mogherini said that the economic sanctions against Russia are likely to be extended.
Earlier in the day 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.
Several 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.
The summit of leaders of member countries of the EU will be held on June 22-23.