EU to decide new Russia sanctions on Friday
Italy’s Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini said on Tuesday that new sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine will be decided by the European Commission on Friday.
“The Commission will prepare the package [of new European sanctions on Russia] on Wednesday and the decision will be made on Friday,” Mogherini told the European Parliament.
Mogherini, who was named the EU’s new foreign policy chief on Saturday, added that the sanctions would be strengthened in four sectors, including defense, dual use goods and finance.
She also said that the “foreign fighters” in the Middle East are a “huge challenge” and a “priority security concern for Europe”. Around 50 Italians have been recruited by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis), according to a report last week.
Mogherini’s chances of becoming the EU’s foreign policy chief were almost scuppered after detractors accused her of being too soft on Russia.
The criticism came after she visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in early July.
But she has now taken a stronger stance, saying that a strategic partnership between the EU and Russia “is clearly over”.
“…and that was Moscow’s choice. We have a problem on the Ukrainian territory. We have a conflict, clearly," she added on Tuesday.
Comments
See Also
“The Commission will prepare the package [of new European sanctions on Russia] on Wednesday and the decision will be made on Friday,” Mogherini told the European Parliament.
Mogherini, who was named the EU’s new foreign policy chief on Saturday, added that the sanctions would be strengthened in four sectors, including defense, dual use goods and finance.
She also said that the “foreign fighters” in the Middle East are a “huge challenge” and a “priority security concern for Europe”. Around 50 Italians have been recruited by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis), according to a report last week.
Mogherini’s chances of becoming the EU’s foreign policy chief were almost scuppered after detractors accused her of being too soft on Russia.
The criticism came after she visited Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in early July.
But she has now taken a stronger stance, saying that a strategic partnership between the EU and Russia “is clearly over”.
“…and that was Moscow’s choice. We have a problem on the Ukrainian territory. We have a conflict, clearly," she added on Tuesday.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.