The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has said that she sees no reason to lift sanctions against Russia, reports Yevropeyska Pravda with reference to AFP.
Kallas considers sanctions to be a lever of influence on Russia and therefore ‘it would be very strange to abandon it’.
‘Nothing has changed. Putin has not changed his goals, and nothing has changed on the battlefield. Therefore, there is no reason to lift the sanctions,’ the head of European diplomacy said.
Kallas noted that if the sanctions are lifted, the EU will be in a ‘much weaker position’.
‘I also don't think it is in the interests of the United States to lift the sanctions now,’ the diplomat said.
- As you know, the sanctions already imposed on Russia must be renewed every six months. Hungary refuses to do so, and on 17 January, Orban made another statement on this matter.
- A new extension of sanctions against Russia is due by the end of January.
- Last December, the Hungarian prime minister told European Union leaders that he wanted to wait until after Donald Trump's inauguration before deciding whether to extend the restrictive measures.