The European Union does not intend to introduce new sanctions against the Russian Federation over the Kremlin's move to start issuing Russian passports to residents of the occupied Donbas.
That's according to EU foreign ministers who spoke to journalists in Brussels where they mark the 10th anniversary of the Eastern Partnership, a European Pravda correspondent reports.
In particular, the Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petršíček said the EU was aware of the decision of the Russian Federation, but does not plan to increase pressure on Moscow because of it.
The EU is more concerned with the search for dialogue, not with more pressure, as the Russian Federation is, according to the official.
Read alsoUkraine's Cabinet outlaws Russian passports issued in occupied Donbas
The position of the Europeans was also confirmed by the Romanian Minister Theodore Melescanu. He assured journalists that Ukrainians do not need new sanctions against the Russian Federation either, suggesting this would create problems for Ukraine itself.
At the same time, he did not specify what problems he meant exactly.
It should be noted that the position of Ukraine is different as Kyiv had called on the EU to increase pressure on the Russian Federation.
Part of the EU states, which are usually considered to be among the friends of Ukraine in the European Union, are in favor of tougher sanctions.
In particular, this was stated by Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkiavicius, who said the distribution of Russian passports was a blatant violation of international law, which should lead to increased pressure.
Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu said the EU must introduce personal sanctions against the Russians involved in passing the decision, and also decide that the EU does not recognize these passports.
At the moment, the EU lacks consensus on the issue.
