The European Council's decision to assess the implementation of the peace plan for eastern Ukraine by the end of September 2014 with a view to the the possible revision of sanctions against Russia remains in force, Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
She said in Brussels on Sept. 22 that the memorandum adopted in Minsk
on Sept. 20 regarding the procedure for observing the ceasefire was
an important element for the assessment of the implementation of the
plan, which is now being prepared.
The latest package of the EU’s restrictive measures against Russia
over the situation in Ukraine came into force on Sept. 12, 2014.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said in a statement in
this regard on Sept. 11 that the EU Permanent Representatives
Committee (COREPER) before the end of the month would carry out a
comprehensive review of the implementation of the peace plan on the
basis of an assessment carried out by the European External Action
Service (EEAS).
He pointed to the reversibility and scalability of the EU’s restrictive measures.
“Therefore, in the light of the review and if the situation on the
ground so warrants, the Commission and the EEAS are invited to put
forward proposals to amend, suspend or repeal the set of sanctions in
force, in all or in part,” Van Rompuy said.
He also added: “It is expected that the Council will consider these
proposals urgently with a view to taking action if appropriate.”
