WARSAW, March 11. /ITAR-TASS/. The European Union is determined to start implementing sanctions against Russia starting next Monday, March 17, said Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk at a press conference.

Tusk added that “when it comes to sanctions on Russia, a decision has in fact already been made, especially on the procedure of introducing sanctions.” “The consequence of this will be the start of sanctions on Monday,” Tusk concluded.

 

Unlawful referendum

EU sanctions against Russia might come into effect already this week, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius stated on Tuesday.

“The referendum designed in the Kremlin is unlawful,” Fabius commented to France Inter public radio. “We cannot tolerate it, since it will lead to Ukraine’s destabilization. Thus, we will apply sanctions. They will possibly come into effect already this week”.

The minister specified that the case on hand is “the freezing of assets and canceling of visas issued for Russian and Ukrainian officials”.

Meanwhile, the head of French diplomatic service noted that the sanctions might be postponed if “Moscow shows aspiration for de-escalating the situation” in Ukraine.