EU prolongs economic sanctions against Russia for 6 months

BRUSSELS, Dec 14 (PRIME) – The E.U. leading states approved prolongation of economic sanctions against Russia for six months, President of the European Council Donald Tusk said in his Twitter blog late on Thursday.

“Decision: the E.U. unanimously prolongs economic sanctions against Russia given zero progress in implementation of the Minsk agreements,” Tusk said.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated to their worse since the Cold War due to a military conflict in Ukraine. The West introduced sanctions against some Russian individuals and firms and further against the energy and banking sectors. In response, Russia prohibited food imports from some countries, including the U.S., the E.U., Canada, Australia, and Norway.

Head of the financial market committee of the State Duma, Russian parliament’s lower chamber, Anatoly Aksakov, said that prolongation of the sanctions is neutral for Russia. “We need to take care of ourselves, to work. We understand that this is for a long time and nothing will change in half a year or a year, and I do not rule out that in 10 years. Nevertheless, the Europeans might soon understand that this is ridiculous and will change their position.”

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