MOSCOW (Sputnik) — EU heads of state are expected to discuss the possibility of extending anti-Russia sanctions during the two-day summit that kicked off in Brussels earlier on Thursday. Ahead of the summit, a source in the German chancellor's office said that French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel would recommend the automatic extension of sanctions.
“Progressive political parties, left-wing parties or social democratic parties, that start looking on current things from a different perspective than it was used before, are a factor that can give a way out, they can form another EU stance to many matters, including the sanctions, to help lift the sanctions,” Voutsis said.
“We are striving for changing something concerning the sanctions … It would be a mistake to see the relations with Russia through the prism of destabilization of the EU. On the contrary if there is stabilization on the progressive route and defeat of the ideas of austerity policy and national isolation, this will provide solutions to critical issues including the sanctions,” Voutsis added.
The European Union and its allies introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions over Crimea rejoining Russia in 2014 and over Moscow's alleged involvement in the conflict between the eastern Ukrainian militia and Kiev. Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability.
