French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, left, says it isn't that he advocates imposing sanctions on Russia. He rather cannot accept today's situation in Georgia (Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is to the right).
Photo: Vasily Shaposhnikov
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Europe Mulls Over Punishment
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner announced yesterday that the EU will probably impose sanctions on Russia at September 1 summit in Brussels. The sources say two drafts are being discussed – the tough scenario of Poland and the scenario of Italy that provides for critical statements of minor significance. Meanwhile, none of the nations has followed Russia and recognized independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Even Belarus has confined to voicing the intention to do it.
France currently presides in the EU and its Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner officially acknowledged yesterday that Europe is deliberating on imposing sanctions on Russia. France isn’t interested in halting relations, but it isn’t willing to accept the situation in Georgia either, Kouchner concluded, specifying that no more than two provisions of the Sarkozy plan (refusal to use military force and end of hostilities) have been accomplished to-date.
Moscow apprehends the sanctions, said a source close to the Kremlin. Two measures are imminent – the suspension of negotiations on the partnership and cooperation agreement and the decision to set into motion diversification of energy supplies to Europe, i.e. Europe is likely to oppose Russia’s Nord Stream and South Stream projects and boost Nabucco implementation.
Anyway, tougher actions are the highlight. Two drafts have been elaborated with Italy lobbying the softer of them and Poland standing for the tougher one.
The Polish scenario provides for imposing financial and economic sanctions on Russia. Big business will be advised to cut investments and certain products (steel, aluminum, fertilizers) could be banned from being exported to Europe. And last but not least, the EU may urge banks of Europe not to loan up Russia’s banks.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Aug. 29, 2008
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