by Dan Alexe Russia has on Friday warned the European Union that a decision to extend existing sanctions over Moscow's interference in Ukraine would further damage relations. In a statement on January 30, the Russian Foreign Ministry suggested again that the EU decision could jeopardize the chances for an end to the conflict between pro-Russian separatists and government forces in eastern Ukraine. "It's time for the European Union to really think about the lack of prospects for the sanctions standoff, which only harms the people and the economies of our countries," the ministry said. EU foreign ministers decided on Thursday, 29 January to extend sanctions imposed after Russia's annexation of Crimea last year until September, instead of letting them expire in March. They also agreed to draft a list of additional individuals to be potentially hit with sanctions, possibly beginning of February. EU foreign ministers gathered in Brussels on Thursday agreed to extend the current sanctions -- visa bans and asset freezes -- targeting Russia over its actions in Ukraine. The German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said after the talks that "if there were large military offensives, for example with widespread assaults on [the southeastern Ukrainian port city of] Mariupol, a clear reaction would be needed." European officials had also been alarmed by a public rebuke sent by Tsipras' office Tuesday, before his government had even been sworn in, to the EU over a joint statement threatening further European sanctions against Russia over developments in Ukraine. Tsipras' office answered that Greece had not been consulted on the declaration, and didn't consent to its content. Although Greece wasn't the only EU member state annoyed by how the statement was issued — Cypriot officials have also said publicly they were not given enough time to comment on the document — Athens was the only capital to issue an official complaint. Late Thursday, EU foreign ministers, including new Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, unanimously agreed to extend by six months a first set of sanctions against Russian and pro-Russia separatist officials. But following Greek insistence, the decision didn't include a reference to new sanctions. Kotzias said his main concern had been to avoid new sanctions being imposed on Russia, as Greece believes they wouldn't bear fruit. European Union foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said Kotzias had stuck to his position, but displayed an "extremely constructive" attitude which allowed a consensual decision. Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias said there was no direct reference to Russian responsibility for the new developments in Ukraine in the joint statement and "the main thing that we wanted removed, and over which there was a two-hour battle, was the proposal for new sanctions." Instead of mentioning the threat of new economic sanctions, the joint statement only mentioned "any appropriate action" was on the table for the 12 February EU summit of government leaders. It was wording seen as a concession to those seeking to keep dialogue going with Russia. France and some others said that while firmness was essential, room for negotiation had to be kept open. Kotzias said Greece believes new sanctions won't bear fruit, and questioned whether the EU wanted to crush Russia, "resulting in pain for the whole of Europe." "Sanctions haven't worked anywhere, except for countries in the process of collapse," Kotzias said. "Also, when you impose sanctions, you should know what consequences they will have. For example, the sanctions created financial problems for Greece." Mogherini said that on top of Thursday's decision to extend the first batch of sanctions currently affecting some 130 people, the EU was also preparing a list of new officials to be put on the visa ban and asset freeze program, which could be confirmed as soon as 9 February. "We hope that this can help in putting pressure, in particular on Russia, to make positive steps and prevent the negative steps that we have seen in the recent days," Mogherini said. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said "one might reasonably conclude" that the U.S. is considering additional sanctions on Russia, though he said there were no specific plans to announce at this time. He said the White House was in close contact with European counterparts. Last March, the EU imposed the first visa bans and asset freezes against officials linked to Russia's annexation of southern Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. The measures were due to expire this March, and Thursday's decision will extend them until at least September. Pressure for more action has been building since last weekend's attacks on Mariupol, when rockets crashed into a densely populated eastern district, killing 30 and wounding several dozen. International observers said a preliminary assessment indicated the attack had been mounted from rebel-held areas. Since Russia's annexation of Crimea, the EU has steadily increased restrictive measures. In July, the EU imposed economic sanctions which, combined with the drop in oil prices, have stung Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia has extended its walkout from Europe's human rights watchdog after again losing its right to vote over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, meeting in the French city of Strasbourg on Wednesday, voted to renew sanctions against Russia at least until April. Russian delegate Alexei Pushkov said Thursday that his delegation's walkout would continue the rest of the year. --- PHOTO: A young woman, volunteer in the 'Azov' volunteer battalion, reacts emotional while sitting in an armoured vehicle during a military training near Mariupol, Donetsk area, Ukraine, 27 January 2015. Media reports state that lawmakers in Kiev on 27 January voted in support of a declaration that marks Russia an 'aggressor state' and calling on the international community to follow suit because 'Russia widely supports terrorism and blocks the work of the UN Security Council.' EPA/ANASTASIA VLASOVA
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