PARIS (Sputnik) – Earlier in the day, 55 lawmakers of the National Assembly voted in favor of a resolution which calls on the French government to oppose the extension of anti-Russia sanctions. As many as 44 parliamentarians voted against the measure.
"We have taken note of the National Assembly adopting a resolution calling on the government to abolish the restrictive measures taken by the European Union against Russia," Nadal told a briefing adding that the lifting of the EU sanctions was tied to implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukrainian reconciliation.
The Russian authorities have refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and taking restrictive economic measures in response.
The EU leaders summit is scheduled for June 28-29. Extending the EU economic sanctions against Russia, which are due to expire in July, is likely to be on the summit's agenda.