EU postpones talks on Russia sanctions decision: sources

EU nations on Wednesday put off talks on whether to roll over economic sanctions against Russia, with Italy wanting the bloc’s leaders to make the call at a summit next week, diplomatic sources said.

Ambassadors from the 28 member states had been expected at a meeting on Wednesday to sign off without any debate on a six-month extension of sanctions against Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

But an EU diplomatic source told AFP that “the point was withdrawn from the agenda” and when the ambassadors meet again on Thursday they are expected to discuss other topics.

The sanctions issue is proving divisive at a time of Western efforts to enlist Moscow’s help in resolving the Syrian conflict, with Rome saying approval should come from European Union leaders who meet in Brussels next Thursday and Friday.

“It is all up in the air… It is a matter of where the decision should be taken, with some wanting it to be at next week’s leaders summit,” a diplomatic source told AFP.

“Italy is pushing for it,” the source added.

Italian sources confirmed Rome had asked for a discussion on the sanctions, which are due to expire at the end of January, because it was an important issue which needed proper consideration.

It should not be taken to mean that Italy opposed the punitive measures, they said.

The wide-ranging economic sanctions targeting Russia’s banking, oil and defence sectors were introduced after the July 2014 shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines jet, blamed on pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.

There was now confusion over the next step, the European sources said.

“It depends on the Italians who are waiting for a decision by (Premier Matteo) Renzi. It is possible the point will be called up again today or tomorrow or that it goes to the foreign ministers meeting on Monday,” one source said.

“We have to wait and see.”

Fearing a more assertive Russia, EU nations such as Poland and the Baltic states that were once ruled from Moscow have taken a much harder line on sanctions than some other member states.

The differences over how best to manage ties with Moscow have re-surfaced as Brussels and Washington try to get Russia on board to end the Syrian war.

Separately, the EU has also imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Russian and Ukrainian individuals held responsible for backing the pro-Moscow rebels, as well as sanctions targeting those involved in Moscow’s annexation of Crimea.

Those sanctions expire later in 2016.

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