EU not mulling Russia sanctions over Syria

AFP, LUXEMBOURG: The EU is not considering sanctions against Russia for its role in Syria but further measures against its ally Damascus are possible, the bloc’s foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said Monday.Foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg showed little appetite for adding to existing sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, despite a call from the United States and Britain for new measures over the carnage in Aleppo.“This has not been proposed by any member state,” Mogherini said as she arrived for the meeting of 28 European Union ministers dominated by the Syrian crisis when asked about steps against Moscow. “But we have sanctions on the Syrian regime... and there are discussions on that, for sure, (expanding) that could be possible,” added Mogherini, the former Italian foreign minister.
Mogherini said she was “proud” the EU was not a military power party to the conflict, and so it could focus instead on getting those that were to agree a ceasefire, humanitarian help and a lasting political solution.As for sanctions themselves, “I tend to look at ... other instruments for leverage,” she added.
EU leaders meeting Thursday at a summit in Brussels are due to hold what promises to be a difficult review of relations with Russia, with any hopes that tensions could be eased now fading fast as the Syrian crisis poisons the atmosphere.US Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Sunday warned that Western allies should consider sanctions against economic targets in Syria and Russia over the siege of Aleppo.The EU however is already embroiled in an acrimonious stand-off complete with damaging sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis, and many member states are reluctant to make matters worse by adding more.German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier insisted sanctions would not help improve the plight of civilians in Aleppo.
“I am not the only one who is rather sceptical with a view to sanctions,” he said, adding that talks “are still the best chance.”
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn added: “I do not think it would be fruitful if we discuss now for hours if and how and when we are going to decide on sanctions against Russia,
“Firstly, we will not find a consensus and secondly I believe as well that it is not the right time and it would be counter-productive,” he said.

 

EU not mulling Russia sanctions over Syria

AFP, LUXEMBOURG: The EU is not considering sanctions against Russia for its role in Syria but further measures against its ally Damascus are possible, the blocs foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said Monday.Foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg showed little appetite for adding to existing sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis, despite a call from the United States and Britain for new measures over the carnage in Aleppo.This has not been proposed by any member state, Mogherini said as she arrived for the meeting of 28 European Union ministers dominated by the Syrian crisis when asked about steps against Moscow. But we have sanctions on the Syrian regime... and there are discussions on that, for sure, (expanding) that could be possible, added Mogherini, the former Italian foreign minister. Mogherini said she was proud the EU was not a military power party to the conflict, and so it could focus instead on getting those that were to agree a ceasefire, humanitarian help and a lasting political solution.As for sanctions themselves, I tend to look at ... other instruments for leverage, she added. EU leaders meeting Thursday at a summit in Brussels are due to hold what promises to be a difficult review of relations with Russia, with any hopes that tensions could be eased now fading fast as the Syrian crisis poisons the atmosphere.US Secretary of State John Kerry and British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Sunday warned that Western allies should consider sanctions against economic targets in Syria and Russia over the siege of Aleppo.The EU however is already embroiled in an acrimonious stand-off complete with damaging sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis, and many member states are reluctant to make matters worse by adding more.German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier insisted sanctions would not help improve the plight of civilians in Aleppo. I am not the only one who is rather sceptical with a view to sanctions, he said, adding that talks are still the best chance. Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn added: I do not think it would be fruitful if we discuss now for hours if and how and when we are going to decide on sanctions against Russia, Firstly, we will not find a consensus and secondly I believe as well that it is not the right time and it would be counter-productive, he said.