International sanctions

"Seven EU members support lifting of sanctions"

BRUSSELS, MOSCOW -- Seven EU countries support the lifting of Western sanctions imposed on Russia, a diplomatic source in Brussels told Russia's TASS news agency on Thursday.

"The sanctions' lifting has been supported by Austria, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus, Slovakia, France and the Czech Republic," he said.

EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini has suggested renewal in relations with Russia in the spheres of global diplomacy, trade and other issues on Wednesday.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has insisted that the sanctions against Russia should remain in place until the country starts fulfilling its commitments under the Minsk agreement.

Russia "won't discuss criteria for lifting sanctions"

MOSCOW -- Russia will not discuss any kind of criteria that it should fulfill for western sanctions against it to be lifted, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said.

George Soros expressed his opinion that the European Union (EU) should reorient its current policies towards Russia and Ukraine.

Soros proposes a two-way approach, which balances the economic sanctions against Russia with an increased financial assistance to Ukraine.

President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday stated that, in his opinion, there shouldn't be any sanctions for politicians attacking independence of justice, but the Supreme Council of the Magistrates (CSM) should react instead.

Photo credit: (c) Alex MICSIK / AGERPRES PHOTO

US President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Friday, imposing sanctions on three North Korean organisations and ten individuals.

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While President Barack Obama has not ruled out the possibility of reopening a U.S. Embassy in Iran, Republicans say the Senate will vote within weeks on a bill to impose more sanctions on Tehran over its nuclear program.

Obama was asked in an NPR interview broadcast on Dec. 30 whether he could envision opening an embassy there during his final two years in office.

The European Union on Thursday announced additional economic sanctions against Crimea-based companies over what the bloc calls illegal annexation of the region by Russia.

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The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) demands that Bulgaria initiates the cancellation of the EU sanctions against Russia, said the party press office.

The BSP parliamentary group tabled in the National Assembly a draft proposal on the need of reconsideration of the EU policies on sanctions against Russia.