Pro-Russian Sentiments Growing in EU, Russian Envoy Says

The approach towards improving relations between Russia and the European Union is gaining popularity in the bloc despite the decision to extend sanctions against Russian individuals, Russia's Permanent Representative to the European Union Vladimir Chizhov said on Thursday.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — Upon his return from Strasbourg, where he observed discussions at the European Parliament session around a report on the EU situation, Chizhov said that "pro-Russian sentiments are growing in different political factions."

Earlier in the day, Brussels upheld sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian individuals and enterprises imposed in March 2014 over alleged violation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and independence.

The sanctions imposed by Brussels stipulate entry bans and freeze the bank accounts of the black-listed individuals and enterprises. The black list includes Russian officials and celebrities, as well as leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) of Ukraine's southeast.

Relations between Moscow and Brussels have been at loggerheads since Crimea became part of Russia in 2014 and the West accused Moscow of meddling in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, accusations Russia has repeatedly denied.