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Russia says extension of sanctions shows EU's weakness

Xinhua, December 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

The decision of the European Union (EU) to extend sanctions against Russia demonstrates the weakness of the alliance, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday.

"The European Union has once again demonstrated its weakness and inability to admit the obvious fact -- linking the restrictions to the implementation of the Minsk agreement by Moscow is absurd," the ministry said in a statement.

The Minsk agreement aimed at ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine was reached by leaders of the so-called Normandy format group comprising Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France in February 2015 in Minsk, capital of Belarus. However, the peace treaty has not been fully implemented.

European Council President Donald Tusk said Thursday that EU leaders have agreed to extend to July 31, 2017 the economic sanctions imposed on Russia in 2014 over its takeover of Crimea and alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

Russia has retorted with a ban on imports of a range of European commodities, mainly foodstuffs, which will remain in effect until Dec 31, 2017.

The ministry slammed Tusk for saying that the EU was still awaiting a clarification of the new U.S. administration's policy in relation to Russia.

"In fact, the President of the European Council thus acknowledged complete dependence on the United States on this issue, which is contrary to the interests of its member states that have been significantly affected by the sanctions standoff with Russia," the ministry added. Endi