Greece’s new government on Tuesday distanced itself from an EU call to consider expansion of the bloc's sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis. The move could be setting the stage for possible friction with Greece's partners in the bloc over foreign policy issues in addition to disagreements over economic and financial policies. In a toughly worded statement on Tuesday EU leaders asked the bloc’s foreign ministers to consider further sanctions against Russia as a response to the killing of civilians during the shelling of the city of Mariupol on on Saturday, saying Moscow held responsibility for the actions of the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. “We note evidence of continued and growing support given to the separatists by Russia, which underlines Russia’s responsibility. We urge Russia to condemn the separatists’ actions and to implement the Minsk agreements,” the EU leaders said in the statement. The new government dominated by radical leftist party SYRIZA said in a press release later that the “statement was released without the prescribed procedure to obtain consent by the member states and particularly without ensuring the consent of Greece”. “In this context, it is underlined that Greece does not consent to this statement”. Greece’s initial reaction to the EU statement could be put to the test on Thursday when the bloc’s foreign ministers are expected to consider widening the sanctions against Russia. With any decision requiring unanimity among the 28 member states, a potential objection by Greece’s new foreign minister Nikos Kotzias could block further sanctions. “A Greek veto would shatter the fragile European consensus over dealing with Russia, potentially robbing SYRIZA of early goodwill as it lobbies for easier terms for Greece’s bailout,” Bloomberg commented in its coverage of the news.
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