KALININGRAD, October 31 (RIA Novosti) — European Union is interested in recalling its economic sanctions against Russia on condition of stabilization of the situation in eastern Ukraine, EU Ambassador to Russia Vygaudas Usackas said Friday.
“We are ready to reconsider the sanctions when we see specific results on implementation of the Minsk agreements, memorandum protocol, which is constantly discussed at highest levels. We are interested in recalling sanctions but in order to do so we need a positive motive of stabilization and de-escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine,” the head of European Union's delegation in Russia Vygaudas Usackas said.
According to Usackas, the sanctions are not an end in itself, they are not aimed against an average Russian citizen. The aim of the sanctions is “to influence Russia’s actions regarding Ukraine,” Usackas said.
“I learned from example of [the Russian city of] Kaliningrad how our relations are developing at the level of cultural ties, business and cross-border cooperation,” the diplomat said.
The United States and the European Union failed to recognize Russia’s unification with Crimea and continue blaming Moscow of meddling in Ukraine’s inner affairs. Russia denies these accusations. Since March the West introduced several waves of anti-Russian economic sanctions.
