EU 'to extend sanctions' against Russia by six months

[Little Tich]

Source: BBC

EU member states have agreed in principle to extend economic sanctions against Russia by six months over the Ukraine conflict, EU officials say.

The sanctions, which expire on 31 July, are not expected to change in content.

The decision needs to be ratified by EU foreign ministers meeting on Monday, though this is seen as a formality.

First imposed in July 2014, sanctions were the EU's united response to what it says was Russia's support for pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33171038

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. K&R

[Cha]

2. ..

Tarheel~

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. Hi my dear Cha.

[jakeXT]

3. Time to invest in Tsipras?

Tsipras will meet Putin on the sidelines of a major economic forum in St Petersburg. The Greek prime minister has been an outspoken critic of EU sanctions against Russia and is seen as one of the Kremlin’s few friends inside the European bloc. Nevertheless, sources in Brussels told news agencies on Wednesday that all 28 EU nations had agreed to roll over sanctions against Russia, which are due for renewal at a meeting on Monday.

Tsipras has criticised the sanctions on numerous occasions, and during a visit to Moscow in April hoped to secure an exemption for Greek produce from Russia’s counter-sanctions, which ban the import of fruit, vegetables and cheese from EU countries, and which have hit Greek farmers hard. On that occasion, Tsipras left Moscow with little except warm words of friendship, and analysts say it is unlikely that Putin will have much to offer immediately during this week’s visit.

“A financial deal package to Greece is definitely possible, but it’s unlikely to come as a straight bailout loan, and more likely to be packaged as part of an advance payment deal over gas transfer or something similar,” said Chris Weafer, a Moscow-based financial analyst.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/jun/17/tsipras-to-meet-putin-over-bailout-loan-as-fears-of-greek-exit-from-eu-mount