New EU Anti-Russian Sanctions Not Helping to Solve Ukraine's Crisis – Envoy

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — Another round of EU sanctions against Russia will not contribute to ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine, Russia's envoy to EU Vladimir Chizhov said Monday.

“These sanctions, of course, do not reflect well on the European Union and do not create an environment conducive to [conflict] settlement,” Chizhov told RIA Novosti.

The diplomat added that sanctions hinder efforts to reach political settlement, which “were made in Minsk, are made now and will be made in future.”

The European Union has imposed several rounds of sanctions against Russia over its alleged involvement in the Ukraine conflict. The measures target Russia's defense, energy and finance sectors, as well as several individuals. Moscow has repeatedly denied any involvement in the conflict, calling such measures counterproductive.

On February 9, EU ministers agreed to freeze assets of individuals allegedly linked to eastern Ukrainian independence supporters, and ban their entry to the bloc.

Implementation of the new round of sanctions was put on hold while Ukraine reconciliation talks in Minsk, Belarus, were being held between the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany and Russia. The international mediators brokered a deal between the eastern Ukrainian warring sides, stipulating the ceasefire that started on Sunday.