EU may impose new sanctions against Russia over 'elections' in Donbas

European Commission spokesperson Maja Kocijancic did not rule out such a possibility at a briefing in Brussels on Monday, November 12.

"As stated in the declaration that the High Representative issued on behalf of all EU-28, we were very clear that the so-called 'elections' for us are illegal, illegitimate and that we will not recognize them. We've condemned them in that declaration very clearly for several reasons. They are in breach of international law, they undermine the commitments undertaken under the Minsk agreements, and they, of course, violate Ukraine's sovereignty and law," she said.

When asked whether the EU may consider imposing new sanctions against Russia at a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council next week, Kocijancic said: "When it comes to any decisions, the ones you refer to, to restrictive measures, any decision to add or amend under current restrictive measures, it is for the Council to take with unanimity. At this stage, I can't tell you more. Ukraine is not formal part of the agenda, but, of course, the issue can also come up, for example, under current affairs." 

As was reported earlier, the world strongly condemned the holding of sham elections in the occupied territories of the Donbas on November 11. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said this following his working visit to Paris on November 10-11 and meetings with many heads of state and government.

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