Russia targets Cyprus, Hungary, and Italy for sanctions veto

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Series Details 11.12.14
Publication Date 11/12/2014
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EUObserver reported on 11 December 2014 that Russia had started lobbying some member states of the European Union so the renewal of sanctions against it would be vetoed in 2015. The website refers countries like Cyprus, Hungary and Italy as the subjects of this approach.

The first batch of EU measures - an asset freeze on Ukraine’s former president Viktor Yanukovych (now hiding in Russia) and 17 associates - was scheduled to expire in March 2015. The next batch - visa bans and asset freezes on Russian officials linked to Russia's annexation of Crimea - would end in April 2015. The third stage sanctions - on Russian banks and energy firms, imposed after the Malaysian Airlines disaster - would expired in July 2015.

US Secretary of State John Kerry admitted the possibility of easing sanctions against Russia after the country was seen taking effective steps at solving the tensions with Ukraine.

European leaders stressed out during the European Council on 18-19 December 2014 that EU's strategy on sanctions against Russia was to be maintained, but would be open to review such attitude if concessions were made on the other side. For more information on the Summit, please click here.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://euobserver.com/foreign/126879
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Who pays for the sanctions on Russia? http://www.europeansources.info/record/who-pays-for-the-sanctions-on-russia/
ESO: Key Source: EU sanctions against Russia over Ukraine crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine-crisis/
EurActiv, 16.12.14: Swiss add names to list to prevent bypassing of Russian sanctions http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/swiss-add-names-list-prevent-bypassing-russian-sanctions-310856
EurActiv, 17.12.14: Kerry speaks of lifting Russia sanctions if Putin makes the right decisions http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/kerry-speaks-lifting-russia-sanctions-if-putin-makes-right-decisions-310880
EurActiv, 19.12.14: EU leaders ready long confrontation with Russia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/eu-leaders-ready-long-confrontation-russia-310974
EUObserver, 18.12.14: Merkel: EU strategy is to maintain Russia sanctions http://euobserver.com/foreign/127002
The Moscow Times, 19.12.14: EU Leaders Prepared for Long-Lasting Confrontation With Russia http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/513619.html
BBC News, 19.12.14: EU needs 'long-term' Russia strategy, says Donald Tusk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30543050
Deutsche Welle,18.12.14: Pressure at summit grows to ease EU sanctions against Russia http://dw.de/p/1E78K
Sputnik International, 18.12.14: EU Heads Could Discuss Reduction of Sanctions Against Russia: EU Diplomat http://sputniknews.com/politics/20141218/1015991333.html
Deutsche Welle, 18.12.14: West's sanctions on Russia bite, but backlash could hurt http://dw.de/p/1E6jS

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