EU reaffirms plans to impose new sanctions on Russia in absence of Ukraine ceasefire
BRUSSELS. May 13 (Interfax) - The prospect of a separate package of sanctions over Russia's decision not to agree to a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine remains in place, with various options being considered, Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, said.
"What we do is to work with all our strength to ensure that all options are on the table when it comes to increasing the pressure on Russia," Hipper said at a press briefing in Brussels on Tuesday.
"Actions speak louder than words [...], what we have now is an unconditional ceasefire [...], he have Ukraine remaining strong as our support as well," she said.
However, Hipper did not give anything concrete, noting that "as always, our work on sanctions is confidential." She added that the EU is in contact with its U.S. partners with regard to putting pressure on Russia.
"We can confirm that the absence of a ceasefire, as has been indicated by several leaders, by HRVP [Kaja] Kallas and [European Commission] President [Ursula] von der Leyen herself, we are indeed looking into further sanctions," European Commission Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho said.
The EU is pushing for direct contact between Moscow and Kiev for talks and wants a Russian-Ukrainian dialogue to take place on May 15, Pinho said. She disagreed with the statement that the EU has been left out of the loop in the development of this situation and noted that the EU has been working closely with the Ukrainian and American sides at the union and member state level "in terms of ensuring pressure" on Russia for a ceasefire and starting discussions.
"Sanctions are part of these actions," Pinho said.
She was asked if and how the EU would be able to override a veto if one member state blocked the extension of sanctions on Russia.
"We are working on all possible scenarios. As you know, always the approach is to have all our member states along. Always the main objective is to have unanimous support to anything that we put forward on sanctions. This is still the main objective and we are working essentially on that objective before considering other options," Pinho said.
