EU not to sanction Russia for passport issuance in Donbas
Ministers of the EU member states believe that sanctions would harm Ukraine.
Censor.NET reports citing Eurointegration.com.ua.
The EU does not intend to impose new sanctions against Russia for its decision to issue Russian passports to Donbas residents, as Foreign Ministers of EU member states who gathered in Brussels for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of Eastern Partnership.
In particular, Czech Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček stated that. According to his, the EU is aware of Russia’s decision, but it does not want to pressure Moscow for it.
"Now we are more prone to seeking dialogue, but not pressure, as Russia does," he said.
Romanian Minister Teodor Meleșcanu confirmed the position of the Europeans. He assured the journalists that Ukrainians do not need the new anti-Russian sanctions.
"It will create problems for Ukraine," he said. Yet, the diplomat did not specify what problems exactly.
It should be stated that Ukraine’s positions is quite different: Kyiv called the EU for enhancing pressure on Russia. A part of EU member states which usually are Ukraine’s friends, support enhancement of anti-Russian sanctions. In particular, Linas Linkevičius, Lithuanian Minister, stated about is.
"This (issuance of Russian passports, - ed.) is a gross violation of the international law. We agreed that violation of the international law should lead to enhancement of pressure, so I believe there should be new sanctions," he said.
"We have to impose personal sanctions against Russians involved in this decision and we also have to make a decision that the EU does not recognize these passports," Urmas Reinsalu, Estonian Minister, said.
The Kremlin published an expanded list of those eligible to acquire Russian passports within three months, including those who live in "certain territories" of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The law is effective from May 1.
The list of those eligible for fast-tracked Russian passports includes Ukrainians who resided in Crimea before it was annexed by Russia from Ukraine - both of them former Soviet republics - in March 2014.
Putin said there was nothing wrong with easing rules for residents of Ukrainian rebel regions to receive Russian passports. He also said Moscow was considering offering all Ukrainian citizens fast-tracked Russian passports.
Ukraine has appealed to the UN Security Council in connection with the introduction by Russian President Vladimir Putin of a simplified procedure for issuing Russian passports to the residents of certain regions of Donetsk and Luhansk regions (ORDLO).
