EU’s Russia sanctions over Ukraine to remain in place / Uneasy ceasefire in Ukraine sees fresh violence

EU diplomats decided on 30 September 2014 to keep in place a tough package of sanctions against Russia, over its actions in eastern Ukraine and support of rebels there. A peace plan had not yet been fully implemented, they said.

EU spokeswoman Maja Kojicancic said there had been "encouraging developments" in "some aspects" of the peace deal, but added that "relevant parts of the protocol will need to be properly implemented."

Russia announced that its economy would grow, despite the sanctions imposed by the West, while its President, Vladimir Putin, reassured Russian business on further state aid in case of funding problems.

On the other side, the World Bank said that Ukraine's economy was likely to suffer more than previously predicted because of the conflict in the east of the country.

Reports showed occasional confronts between Ukrainian military forces and rebels and some other tragic events, including the killing of a Red Cross worker in Eastern Ukraine on 2 October 2014.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Russian opposition defies Putin with anti-war marches / Kyiv pulls out heavy weapons from buffer zone http://www.europeansources.info/record/russian-opposition-defies-putin-with-anti-war-marches-kyiv-pulls-out-heavy-weapons-from-buffer-zone/

ESO: Background information: Statement by the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy on further EU restrictive measures against Russia http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-the-president-of-the-european-council-herman-van-rompuy-on-further-eu-restrictive-measures-against-russia/

BBC News, 30.09.14: EU to keep Russia sanctions in place over Ukraine http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29429602

Euronews, 01.10.14: EU monitors claim Ukraine truce is holding despite fresh shelling at Donetsk airport http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/01/eu-monitors-claim-ukraine-truce-is-holding-despite-fresh-shelling-at-donetsk-/

Deutsche Welle, 29.09.14: Merkel flags review of Russia energy partnership http://dw.de/p/1DNIo

EUObserver, 01.10.14: 'Frozen conflict' looming in east Ukraine, EU diplomats say http://euobserver.com/foreign/125835

European Commission: RAPID: Statement, STATEMENT/14/297: Joint statement by HR/VP Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Kristalina Georgieva on the killing of a Red Cross worker in Eastern Ukraine http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-14-297_en.htm

Deutsche Welle, 05.10.14: Uneasy ceasefire in Ukraine sees fresh violence http://dw.de/p/1DQ5x

Euronews, 02.10.14: Russia say economy will grow despite sanctions http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/02/russia-say-economy-will-grow-despite-sanctions/

Deutsche Welle, 02.10.14: Putin renews aid pledge to firms hit by 'unwarranted sanctions' http://dw.de/p/1DOpb

BBC News, 02.10.14: World Bank: Ukraine GDP to shrink 8% this year http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29454965

EurActiv, 07.10.14: Fighting rages at Donetsk airport despite truce http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/fighting-rages-donetsk-airport-despite-truce-308969

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