EU Leaders, Obama to Confirm Unity of Positions on Russia on July 8

EC, EU Council high-ranking officials and US President Barack Obama, are to unite in their positions on Russia, the Council of the European Union said in a statement Wednesday.

BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU Council President Donald Tusk will hold a meeting on July 8 with US President Barack Obama, where they are expected to declare that the European Union and the United States remain united in their positions on Russia, the Council of the European Union said in a statement Wednesday.

The meeting is expected to take place in Warsaw prior to the NATO summit.

"The meeting in Warsaw will provide an opportunity to underline transatlantic unity and discuss EU-US cooperation across a range of shared priorities… In particular, [the] leaders are expected to underline the need for continued and increased cooperation between [the] EU and NATO, the need for the EU and US to stay united in their relations vis-a-vis Russia and the importance of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership," the statement reads.

According to a high-ranking EU official, the sides will discuss the issue of anti-Russian sanctions and the implementation of the Minsk agreements on Ukrainian reconciliation.

In 2014, relations between Russia and the West deteriorated amid the crisis in Ukraine. Brussels, Washington and their allies have introduced several rounds of anti-Russia sanctions after Crimea became part of Russia, accusing Moscow of annexing the region and meddling in the Ukrainian conflict. The sanctions target individuals and companies in different sectors of the Russian economy, including defense, financial and energy sectors.

Russia has repeatedly refuted having any involvement in the Ukraine conflict, warning that the Western sanctions are counterproductive and undermine global stability. In response to the restrictive measures, Russia imposed a food embargo on some products originating in countries that have targeted it with sanctions.