MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The European Union is unlikely to change its stance on sanctions against Russia following the United Kingdom's withdrawal, Russia's Permanent Representative to the EU Vladimir Chizhov told Sputnik.
"There are no expectations. I don't believe that this position will change," Chizhov said.
Russia has no plans of engaging in talks with the European Union on a gradual lifting of sanctions, he added.
"You know, it doesn't matter to us by and large whether [sanctions] are lifted all at once or in stages, and when this is going to happen. If those who prefer a gradual revision of the sanctions expect us to engage in this process and hold negotiations, this is a mistake," Chizhov said.
Since 2014, the United States and the European Union have introduced several rounds of sanctions targeting Russian individuals and key sectors of its economy. The sanctions were initially imposed in response to Crimea becoming part of Russia and Western allegations of Russian involvement in the Ukraine crisis.
