You're reading: Situation in Ukraine unfit so far for amending, repealing sanctions on Russia – EU official

Brussels - Proposals to amend, suspend or repeal the sanctions enforced against Russia by the European Union in connection with the situation in Ukraine will be put forward, if the situation so warrants, Maja Kocijancic, the EU foreign policy chief spokeswoman, told Interfax on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

“The Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) shared the analysis that while encouraging developments have been registered in the political process and in the implementation of some aspects of the Minsk Protocol, relevant parts of the same protocol will need to be properly implemented,” Kocijancic said.

“If the situation on the ground so warrants, the Commission and the European External Action Service (EAS) would be invited to put forward to the Council proposals to amend, suspend or repeal the set of sanctions in force, in all or in part,” she said.

“Based on an assessment by the EEAS and the Commission, the (COREPER) on Tuesday, Sept. 30 carried out a comprehensive review of the situation in Eastern Ukraine,” Kocijancic said.

“The European Union will continue to closely monitor developments on the ground and review the implementation of the Minsk Protocol,” she said.

“The EU recalls its full support to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she also said.

“The EU has reiterated the central role played by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) and expressed its willingness, in particular, to provide the SMM with the necessary human and material support to fulfill its tasks,” Kocijancic said.

“The EU is also committed to enhance its humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in Eastern Ukraine,” she added.

“The EU will continue to support the reform efforts in Ukraine, including through the implementation of the Association Agreement that constitutes the basis of the contractual relations between the Ukraine and the EU,” she said.

“The EU will also pursue its proactive engagement with the parties to reach a peaceful solution to the crisis in Eastern Ukraine,” Kocijancic said.