EU Less Likely to Maintain Anti-Russian Sanctions Without UK - Hammond

The European Union might be less likely to act as a united front on Russia and renew sanctions against Moscow after Brexit, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the foreign secretary, the United Kingdom was the main supporter of the European Union's anti-Russian sanctions.

"The UK has been, perhaps, the driving force in maintaining the unity of EU on sanctions against Russia <…> and I fear that, in future such situations, an EU without Britain as an influential member will be less likely to take a sustained robust action against Russia," Hammond said.

The British foreign policy chief stressed EU anti-Russia sanctions should be kept in place after Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union.

"My view is, whether we are inside the EU or not, our position should remain that sanctions should stay in place without relaxation until Russia has complied with its obligations under the Minsk agreements. And beyond that, the Crimea specific sanctions should remain in place as long as the illegal annexation remains," he continued.