EU sees ceasefire progress, but ready for more sanctions - Mogherini
 European Union is ready to step up sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict, but the priority is to bolster a fragile ceasefire agreed in Minsk, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Friday. Mogherini, attending a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Latvia, said the need now was to strengthen ceasefire monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), a European rights and security watchdog. Despite some signs of improvement on the ground, there was no question of the EU easing sanctions now, she said. "They will not be lifted until something really good happens on the ground and on the other side we are always ready to increase the pressure if needed," Mogherini told a conference. "So far the ceasefire has been starting, not perfect with some violations still, but for sure the trend is a positive one," Mogherini added. "We need ... to strengthen the OSCE mission that is on the ground now." Her comments come amid continuing violence in Ukraine despite the ceasefire accord reached in Minsk last month, which calls for the withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline. Ukraine and Western governments have accused Russia of sending troops and weapons to support separatists in eastern Ukraine, something Russia denies. Looking to put pressure on Moscow, the U.S. and EU have imposed an array of sanctions over the past year that have damaged the Russian economy, further straining relations between the Russia and the West. Mogherini warned of a return to a Cold War mentality. |
