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Anti-Russian sanctions

Slovakia says it may veto new EU sanctions against Russia

“I believe that the sanctions will become senseless and counter-productive," Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico

© EPA/JULIEN WARNAND

BRUSSELS, August 31 /ITAR-TASS/. Slovakia said it might veto new EU sanctions against Russia, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said after the EU summit on Sunday.

“I believe that the sanctions will become senseless and counter-productive. Slovakia may use its right of veto,” Fico said, explaining Slovakia would use its right of veto if it decided that the new anti-Russian sanctions would undermine its economic growth.

The Slovak prime minister said there was no point in imposing new sanctions until the EU knew the results of the previously adopted penalties.

In July, the European Union imposed economic sanctions against Russia over it policy in eastern Ukraine. They include a ban on conclusion of military contracts; restrictions on acquisition of some new technologies, equipment and materials for its oil sector as well as some restrictions on banking services.

Maja Kocijanic, a spokeswoman for the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, said last Friday that the EU Commission was still to analyze the consequences of the EU-imposed anti-Russian sanctions.

The EU summit has given the EU Commission one week to prepare proposals on tougher sanctions against Russia, European Commission President Herman Van Rompuy told a news conference after the EU summit in Brussels.

He said the further steps on sanctions would depend on the situation in Ukraine, which was getting worse every day.

The EU summit noted the recent escalation of military conflict in Ukraine of which it had been informed by Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko.

The European Council voiced its concern with the Russian military presence in Ukrainian territory.

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