As the EU is struggling to find a response to Turkey’s disruptive activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, the upheaval in Belarus and the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, EURACTIV provides a closer look at how the EU’s sanction regime works and what the current challenges are.
“The duration of economic sanctions will be clearly linked to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements,” said EU Council President Donald Tusk on Thursday after EU leaders met for the March EU Council Summit.
Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has urged EU leaders to back Kiev's request to sendi an international peacekeeping mission to eastern Ukraine, where government forces are fighting pro-Russia separatists.
Speaking to journalists on his arrival to the European Council meeting on Thursday, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker described the Ukrainian ceasefire agreement as 'excellent news'.
The European Commission confirmed on Wednesday it will provide an additional €30 million of EU funding for CAP promotion programmes starting in 2015, on top of the €60 million that is foreseen annually in the CAP budget. The new measures are aimed at alleviating the impact of Russian ban on importing certain EU agricultural products.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that European leaders will discuss imposing new sanctions on Russia at an EU Summit in Brussels on Saturday (30 August). The summit was initially planned to decide top job appointments.
The European Commission presented on Thursday its proposals for possible targeted measures against Russia, which will most likely be adopted next week. The sanctions will include “access to capital markets, defence, dual use goods, and sensitive technologies, including in the energy sector.”
EU Foreign Affairs ministers urged Russia on Wednesday to “stop the increasing flow of weapons” across the border to eastern Ukraine or face tougher sanctions.
EU leaders agreed on expanding sanctions against Russia, after Ukraine submitted proof of Russia’s support for the separatists.
Speaking to journalists on her arrival at the June EU Summit, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that “Russia is not doing enough to achieve a peaceful solution” and the EU is considering a new set of sanctions.
In his speech after signing the Association Agreement with the EU, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said that 'this is the most important day for Ukraine, after independence day'. “We expect EU to protect Ukraine's territorial integrity”, Poroshenko added.
Speaking at the Association Agreement signing ceremony between the EU and Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said that 'signing the agreements should not be seen as the end of the road, but the beginning of a journey'. 'They are not against anyone', Barroso added.
Speaking at the Association Agreement signing ceremony between the EU and Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said that the agreements are 'milestones' in the history of the EU and its eastern partners.
Speaking ahead of a European Council meeting in Brussels on Friday, Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said that Sweden is ready to back Jean-Claude Juncker as Commission President.
Speaking ahead of a European Council meeting in Brussels on Friday, new Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb said that the potential election of Jean-Claude Juncker as the next Commission President against the UK's will is not going to push Britain 'closer to leaving the EU'.
Speaking ahead of a European Council meeting in Brussels on Friday, Ukrainian newly elected president Petro Poroshenko said that signing an Association Agreement with the EU marks a historic day for Ukraine.
EU Foreign Affairs Ministers urged Russia on Monday to back the peace plan for Ukraine put forward by newly elected president Petro Poroshenko.
Speaking to journalists after the G7 Summit in Brussels on Thursday, US President Barack Obama said that world leaders “will have the chance to see what Mr. Putin does over the next 2,3.4 weeks and if he remains on the current course, we have already indicated the kinds of actions that we are prepared to take.”
Speaking to journalists after the G7 Summit in Brussels on Thursday, US President Barack Obama said that he 'has express some concerns' over France's selling of warships to Russia.
In their first meeting without Russia in 17 years, G7 leaders threatened Moscow with further sanctions if it does not help restore stability in eastern Ukraine.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and Ukraine Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk signed a financial aid agreement to Kiev during a visit by the Ukrainian government to Brussels on Tuesday.
Council President Herman Van Rompuy traveled to Ukraine on Monday to discuss how to stabilise the situation in the country before the 25 May presidential election and urged 'all political' actors to back it. Speaking about sanctions against Russia, Van Rompuy said that the EU is 'ready to take further decisions if needed'.
European Union foreign ministers expanded sanctions over Russia's actions in Ukraine on Monday, adding two Crimean companies and 13 people to the bloc's sanctions list, EU diplomats said.
Western leaders have condemned a referendum on independence celebrated in eastern Ukraine on Sunday, as pro-Russian rebels declared a resounding victory claiming more than 90% of votes in favour.
