A quarter of EU countries opposed to sanctions war with Moscow – Russian newspaper

On Thursday in Brussels opened a two-day summit of Heads of State and Government of the 28 EU countries. One of the main topics of the agenda was the question of an early extension of economic sanctions against Russia, which expire in July. However, on the eve of the meeting it became known that at least a quarter of the European Union opposed the sanctions unwinding war with Moscow.

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As said at a briefing on Wednesday a representative of the EU External Action Service, the head of the European Council, Donald Tusk is going to convince the 28 EU countries is that they accept the recommendation “to support the continuation of sanctions against Russia before the Minsk agreements.” Himself Tusk said that the preservation of the sanctions pressure on Russia will become “one of the best ways to support Kiev.” On the first day of the summit in Brussels recognized sources: most likely, he will eventually be adopted political declaration. And even if it will position the feasibility of “the continuation of sanctions before the Minsk agreements”, the document will not have a “legal force”, and EU leaders will return to this issue until June.

Meanwhile, all previous day Donald Tusk had consulted closely with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande to go on some kind of “compromise proposal” that would suit all parties, in whose ranks there was a clear split.

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“leaks” from several European diplomatic sources indicate that at least seven countries – EU members were

against the auto sector and the early extension of economic sanctions against Russia. This is Italy and Cyprus, whose leaders recently paid a visit to Moscow, Greece, where the farmers most seriously affected by the response of Moscow, as well as Slovakia, Hungary, Austria and Spain.

Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann said on arrival in Brussels, that the EU should develop clear criteria for the implementation of agreements Minsk and normalization of the situation in Ukraine. “You can not impose sanctions with the slogan that, once introduced, they should always be extended,” – said the head of the Austrian government. For the transfer of decision on a possible extension of the sanctions package delivered and the Czech Republic. This was confirmed by the Prime Minister of the Republic Bohuslav Sobotka. “When it comes to the issue of extending sanctions today, the Czech Republic considers that there is no reason to rush into it. We have plenty of time until the middle of this year,” – he said. According to Sobotka, this position “tactically more advantageous for the EU.” The Czech delegation agreed that in the coming months is necessary to analyze how the Minsk Agreement

As reported by Bloomberg, to countries that “most do not support the” automatic continuation of sanctions war with Moscow, also includes Finland, Bulgaria, Portugal, France and Malta.

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The camp hardliners, which included the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Baltic states and Poland, was in the minority. They were joined by “not fully defined” Romanians are an extension of sanctions “more support.” Such states – members of the EU, like Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Denmark, Slovenia and Croatia, “maintain neutrality”.

The special position occupied Germany. Experts point out that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is trying to consolidate around them supporters of the policy of “moderately hard” line toward Moscow. Yesterday morning before flying to Brussels, she performed in the Bundestag, promising the deputies to postpone the abolition of the sanctions measures. “We can not and do not want to remove the sanctions immediately after the first provisions of the Minsk agreements. This would be wrong. In the evening, I will be performing for the duration of sanctions depend on the performance of the entire package of Minsk,” – she said.

The experts draw attention to the fact that the preparation for the summit took place against the backdrop of continued pressure from the White House. So, last week, flew to Europe US diplomat Daniel Fried, the chief coordinator of the US State Department’s policy of sanctions. And in February, held a telephone conference with the participation of leaders presumably those “bad” of the EU and United States President Barack Obama, who fear that Brussels will weaken the sanctions pressure on Moscow.

US Marines will be in Europe

Take a march in Europe is going to the 3rd Squadron of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment United States. As the American military newspaper Stars and Stripes, the so-called “Cavalry check” on the territory of the six EU countries in close proximity to the Russian border will be “visible demonstration of the US presence in the Old World”.

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According to the announcement of a cavalry march, which presented the Pentagon, military redeployment from 1700 kilometers Washington turns in Hollywood show. At least 150 people and 40 pieces of equipment will be on the route from Estonia, through Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, in the German Vilsek, where the US military base. Along the route to the US cavalry to join the US Army units located in other European countries, in particular the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade.

At the same time in each country US Marines will make several stops to talk to local residents. “The soldiers and their commanders will have many opportunities to meet local people along the way, to increase their understanding of the cultural diversity within the Alliance and to strengthen the relationships are so important to maintain mutual respect and trust between the military allies”, – told reporters a press officer Command of the US Army in Europe, Lieutenant Colonel Craig Childs.

Such forced marches are not peculiar to the US military. For example, heavy military equipment, such as 18-ton armored combat vehicles “Stryker”, usually to their bases being moved by rail. But as explained by the representative of the American command in Europe, political and military objective of this long and expensive campaign – demonstrate the ability to quickly move the NATO military equipment on the territory of the European Union.

Prepared by Anna Fedyakina

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