European Union leaders will discuss sanctions to be imposed on Russia Wednesday, if no progress is made in settling the Ukrainian crisis, Italy’s envoy to the EU said Monday.
The European Council is expected to hold a special meeting Wednesday.
“Yes, the European Council will discuss measures against Russia, which may be taken in the absence of [steps to improve the situation in Ukraine]," Stefano Sannino said while elaborating the priorities of Italy’s presidency in the EU this year.
Italy’s envoy has also dismissed media reports that Rome is slowing down the process of introducing sanctions against Russia.
“There have been no attempts to stall the process. I have not seen the Italian foreign chief rushing to the barricades and doing strange things,” Sannino said.
Last week, the European Union added 11 new names to the sanctions list over the Ukrainian crisis, which now includes top figures from the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said earlier that Moscow views the extension of EU sanctions as an unfriendly act that would damage bilateral relations. According to the diplomat, “it is not a proper way for states to work together and interact, especially for major [international] players like Russia and the EU."
