ATHENS (Sputnik) — Greece will oppose extending sanctions against Russia at EU talks in June, Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs Nikos Xydakis said Tuesday.
"The Greek stance is that mutual sanctions hurt Europe-Russia relations and do not benefit anyone, A tense atmosphere is just being preserved. Our belief is that sanctions should be lifted," Xydakis told RIA Novosti.
In 2014, the United States and the EU states imposed a series of economic sanctions targeting key Russian sectors as well as a number of individuals and entities over Russia’s reunification with Crimea and its alleged interference in the conflict between Kiev and independence supporters in eastern Ukraine.
The Russian authorities have refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive.
