by Dan Alexe Greece blocked the adoption of a common resolution on Russia at the level of the permanent representatives to EU. A compromise is now to be found at the level of the 28 foreign ministers gathered in Brussels for an extraordinary meeting on new sanctions against Russia. Sources close to the negotiations told New Europe that the Greek representative blocked important clauses in the final statement. The draft statement presented to the foreign ministers today proposes to extend sanctions against Russia by six months, and adds new people to the sanctions list. "In view of the worsening situation, the Council (of foreign ministers) agrees to extend the restrictive measures targeting persons and entities for threatening or undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity ... until September 2015,” say the conclusions. The statement is referring to asset freezes and travel bans put on dozens of Ukrainians and Russians since Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea peninsula last March. The draft statement discussed today notes evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, saying it underlined Russia's responsibility for the conflict that has already killed more than 5,000 people. Greek opposition is almost certain to limit the sanctions to blacklisting more names of individuals from Russia and Ukraine. A decision on further economic sanctions on Russia is likely to be left to EU leaders who next meet in Brussels on 12 February.
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