Courtesy of Mish.
A battle over sanctions is brewing in the EU this evening.
The EU lead by European Council president Donald Tusk seeks more sanctions on Russia over Aleppo.
However, Italian prime minister Matteo Renzi Pushes Back on Sanctions because Italy was stung more by sanctions than other nations.
The European Union said it was too soon to consider imposing sanctions on Russia for the bombing of rebel-held areas of Syria, while maintaining the threat of action if Vladimir Putin doesn’t back down.
After the first of two days of talks in Brussels, EU leaders said “all available options” remain on the table, without mentioning sanctions specifically, after they clashed over using more pointed language on Thursday. While the U.K., France and Germany wanted to take a harsher tone with Russia, Italy’s Matteo Renzi led those countries who opposed the move.
Russia’s aggression in Syria has brought its relationship with the west to a new low. With ties already worse than at any time since the Cold War because of Putin’s annexation of Crimea and violent interference in eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin’s support of the Syrian regime has raised tensions further and exposed divisions in the EU.
“It’s clear that Russia’s strategy is to weaken the EU — we have no illusions,” the bloc’s president, Donald Tusk, told reporters early Friday. “Increasing tensions with Russia is not our aim; we are simply reacting to steps taken by Russia.”
The EU has added progressively tougher sanctions on Russia since March 2014 for its involvement in Ukraine, including broad economic restrictions as well as travel bans and asset freezes on individuals and companies. While leaders were not planning to make any decisive steps toward additional sanctions at the summit, the final communique represents a watering down of more specific threats contained in their draft text.
Irony Abounds
European Council president Donald Tusk is not to be confused with European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker, who probably agrees with Tusk anyway.
Since every nation has to agree to more sanctions, Italy is more than sufficient to kill the idea.
Tusk says ““It’s clear that Russia’s strategy is to weaken the EU — we have no illusions.”
Irony abounds. Pray tell, what the heck are sanctions on Russia other than a blatant attempt to weaken Russia? And who started this sanction mess?
