EU sees no conditions for Russia talks, prepares new sanctions package

The European Union does not see conditions in place for negotiations with Russia and will continue its policy of unilateral sanctions, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said at a press conference following an informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Cyprus.

“We really also need to have a strategic patience when it comes to really pushing Russia into a situation where they genuinely would negotiate. We feel that it is not there yet. That is why we were also discussing today how to put more pressure. That is why we are coming up with the 21st package of sanctions, and actually moving further to push them to really negotiate. But we are not there yet,” she said, Caliber.Az reports. 

Kallas also said her service had prepared an interim sanctions proposal targeting Russia ahead of the EU foreign ministers’ meeting on June 15 in Brussels.

She said the proposal would include the blacklisting of 80 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s defence industry and media sector.

By Sabina Mammadli