MOSCOW, April 29 (RIA Novosti) – Sanctions against Russia only escalate the Ukrainian crisis and contradict the interests of all parties, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Tuesday according to the Xinhua news agency.
"Imposing sanctions is not helpful in terms of solving the problem. It will only exacerbate the tension. We call for all parties to continue dialogue and negotiation, and promote a political solution. Imposing sanctions goes against the interests of all parties," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said.
The European Union on Tuesday imposed sanctions on 15 additional Russian and Ukrainian officials. The EU Council said in a statement it had decided to expand the existing list of sanctioned individuals “in view of the gravity of the situation” in Ukraine, where clashes continue between pro-federalization activists and Ukrainian troops.
The news came after the US Treasury announced Monday it had imposed sanctions, including asset freezes and visa bans, on seven Russian individuals as well as 17 Russian companies.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said the sanctions were in response to Crimea’s reunification with Russia, which the United States does not acknowledge, as well as Russia’s stance on Ukraine.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that talking in the language of sanctions is “inappropriate and counterproductive” and warned its Western partners about the “boomerang effect” that sanctions would have.
