This month, Europe must decide whether it will extend the sanctions against Russia. Tomorrow, the EU member states will meet to discuss the next step. Last week, the sanctions against the Crimea and Sevastopol were extended by one year.
The European Commission issued a press release last week reporting that the sanctions for the annexation of the Crimea and Sevastopol will be extended by one year. Consequently, these economic measures will remain in force until 23 June 2017. These, however, are not the actions against Russia; they affect only the annexed territories. The measures prohibit the import, investment and export of certain goods to the annexed territories. Tourist services to Crimea and Sevastopol are also forbidden.
Source: Kremlin
The sanctions against Russia are on the agenda this week in Brussels. Opinions on the issue are divided. Countries such as Hungary, Italy, Bulgaria and Greece are openly against it. Austria also believes it is time to seek a rapprochement with the Russians. Germany, the Baltic States and Poland have a strong position against this. France hangs in between; the country certainly wishes to negotiate with Russia, but also says that the Minsk agreements should be enforced before the sanctions can be lifted.
Next month, Slovakia takes the EU Presidency from the Netherlands. The country is also willing to start a dialogue with the Russians. The NATO called on the Union to keep the sanctions in place until Russia changes its policies. Analysts assume that the sanctions will be extended by six months. Whether the sanctions will actually be extended remains uncertain.
According to President Putin, the country is preparing to lift the sanctions (in part), provided there is a guarantee that the EU will ease its sanctions. To this end, a firm guarantee from the EU is needed, because Russia will not be "deceived again."