Ukrainian crisis

European Union foreign ministers agreed Thursday to extend existing sanctions against Russia by six months until September.

At an extraordinary meeting in Brussels, they agreed to discuss names to be added to the list of individuals affected by EU travel bans and asset freezes.

The foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) member states are planning to expand the sanctions against Russia in view of the renewed escalation of violence in Ukraine.

This becomes clear from the draft conclusions of the foreign ministers that is to take place on Thursday, EUobserver reports.

US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said on Jan. 28 that Washington was ready to increase sanctions on Russia over its actions in war-torn Ukraine.
 
Lew's comments during a visit to Kyiv came one day after EU heads of state threatened to impose further financial measures against Moscow in response to the latest upsurge in violence in Ukraine's nine-month war.
 

Kiev wants others to join it in declaring Russia "aggressor"

KIEV -- The Ukrainian parliament has called on the UN, NATO, and other organization to declare Russia as "aggressor state."

Previously, the parliament adopted a statement on "Russian aggression in Ukraine" which "opens the door to consequences according to international law."

Greece's new government on Tuesday distanced itself from an EU call to consider expansion of the bloc's sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis.

The move could be setting the stage for possible friction with Greece's partners in the bloc over foreign policy issues in addition to disagreements over economic and financial policies.

Following the Mariupol attack on Saturday, an extraordinary ambassadorial meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission took place in Brussels on Monday.

Putin slams Ukrainian forces as "NATO legion"

ST. PETERSBURG, KIEV -- Ukrainian armed forces are in essence a NATO legion, which is not serving the country's national interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko was chairing an emergency security meeting Sunday to forge a response to a new offensive by pro-Russian rebels after rocket strikes on a vital government-held port killed 30 people.
      

Serbia "not Russian, not anybody else's puppet" - PM

DAVOS -- Aleksandar Vucic says it is possible to foster friendly relations with Russia and be a member of the EU at the same time, and that Serbia is "nobody's puppet."

Although Bulgarian exporters are seriously injured by the sanctions on Russia, the country will not back away from its current stance and will seek new markets, according to Economy Minister Bozhidar Lukarski.

Bulgaria's Economy Minister met Monday with Ukraine's Ambassador to Bulgaria Mykola Baltazhy.