BRUSSELS, September 09. /ITAR-TASS/. Finland and Italy, close business partners with Russia, oppose new European Union sanctions over events in Ukraine, the EurObservER internet portal said on Tuesday. And while Slovakia had not joined those critical of moves to penalise Russia, it was sceptical about anti-Russian action, said the online monitor of EU energy issues.

Its assessment follows new sanctions against Russia declared by the 28-nation bloc but delayed to judge how the Ukraine ceasefire is observed.

“The entry into force through publication in the Official Journal will take place in the next few days,” said EU President Herman Van Rompuy in a statement. “This will leave time for assessment of implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the peace plan. Depending on the situation on the ground, the EU stands ready to review the agreed sanctions in whole or in part.”

Brussels' announcement is the first reinforcement of sanctions approved since de-escalation of violence in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin's peace plan for southeast Ukraine and negotiations on a political settlement.