EU in grip of sanction inertia - Russia's EU envoy
BRUSSELS. Aug 31 (Interfax) - Russia's European Union envoy Vladimir Chizhov said the European Union takes on trust claims about Russia's military presence in Ukraine.
The European Union leaders instructed the European Commission and the EU's External Action Service early on Sunday to propose new sanctions against Russia within seven days. The final decision is to be made depending on the situation in Ukraine.
"The day hasn't dawned in the European Union yet," Chizhov said in comments on the situation.
"The European Union remains in the grip of the sanction inertia. Many of the European leaders publicly acknowledged just recently that, first, sanctions are not effective and, second, they are a way leading to a deadlock. It looks like they have not devised anything new," he said.
"What is worse, they have taken on trust the assertions brought along by the Ukrainian president, as well as claims, circulated by NATO officials in Brussels, and allegations about the presence of Russian troops and weapons in Ukraine," Chizhov said.
