It seemed that EU leaders were clear that the sanctions against the Russian Federation would continue until the Kremlin complies with the Minsk Agreements. Let us recall that the EU imposed restrictive measures against Russia in 2014 in connection with the annexation of Crimea and the armed conflict in the Donbas.
Until now, decisions to extend the sanctions against Russia were taken automatically by permanent representatives of member countries of the EU (COREPER). It was expected that they would agree at the December 9 meeting to extend sanctions for six months without discussion. As reported by the media, EU leaders agreed beforehand to extend the economic sanctions against Russia till the end of July.
However, the representative of Italy unexpectedly blocked the passage of the pre-approved decision, demanding it to be discussed at a higher level. According to the Polish Radio, the Italian proposal was supported by several countries, including Austria and Hungary. According to the media outlet, Greece, Cyprus, and Italy have repeatedly spoken against the extension of sanctions.
Meanwhile, EUobserver, citing a source close to the Italian government, says that the Italians are not going to block the decision, but they claim that this issue deserves discussion, at least a five minute-long debate at the level of the European Council or in another format. The question is, what is there to discuss? Has Russia complied with the Minsk Agreements, which bear its signature?
According to the latter publication, Luxembourg, which holds the EU presidency, has not decided for its part whether to hold a debate at the December 10 meeting of ambassadors, or the December 14 meeting of foreign ministers, or finally the EU summit set for December 17.
Anyway, the situation around the extension of the sanctions against Russia is very confusing and uncertain. As UNIAN reported on December 10 citing a source in the European Council, the EU has not yet decided in which format the decision will be made regarding the extension of sanctions against Russia, as it vacillates between debating it at the level of foreign ministers on December 15 and the level of heads of state and government on December 17-18.
Let us recall that President Petro Poroshenko expressed confidence on December 6 that Europe would extend sanctions against Russia. “If nothing extraordinary happens, like Russia suddenly withdrawing its occupation troops, solving the issue of transferring uncontrolled land border to Ukrainian control, releasing all hostages, and ensuring the full implementation of the rest of the Minsk 2 provisions, a decision to extend the sanctions will be taken,” Poroshenko stated.
Russia has taken none of the measures listed above, but some countries are already trying to start a debate on whether to extend the sanctions. Obviously, the solidarity of the EU, which Poroshenko has been mentioning so frequently, is cracking on the issue of supporting Ukraine. Our diplomacy should be more actively working with countries, which favor discussion on this issue.
Perhaps the decision to extend sanctions against Russia will be eventually adopted. But the question is: why are some countries beginning to waver and actually question the previously adopted restrictive measures, imposed on Russia as punishment for its violations of the international law?
COMMENTARY
Roland FREUDENSTEIN, deputy director, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, Brussels:
“My guess is that this is just some more grumbling from the people in the [European] Council who want to get back to cooperation with Russia as fast as possible. They will agree to another 6 months of sanctions, after having put up a little resistance. But one thing is for sure: it will become increasingly hard to get consensus on sanctions in the future. Not because Russia has changed its policies. But because the willingness to close one’s eyes about Russia’s aggression is growing among some in the EU.
“Because these people believe sanctions don’t work (‘haven’t changed Russia’s behavior’), because they fear further business losses, because they think in very short cycles, because they secretly admire Putin (Orban), because they resent German leadership... There are many reasons. Of course, all these people are wrong. But they exist, and we will have to work with them in the framework of the EU.”
