Time not right to ease Russia sanctions, EU says

During the Foreign Affairs Council held on 19 January 2015, EU foreign ministers concluded that there were no grounds to lift economic sanctions against Russia despite conciliatory proposals from the EU's foreign policy chief, as violence intensified in Ukraine [as you can check by clicking here].

Speaking in Washington on 20 January 2015 in his 2015 state of the union address, US president Barack Obama held up US intervention in the Ukraine crisis as an example of 'the power of American strength and diplomacy'. He went on to describe Russia’s aggression against Ukraine as a strategic failure, while urging the EU to maintain sanctions.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Rouble crisis feeds EU hope of Russia pull-back http://www.europeansources.info/record/rouble-crisis-feeds-eu-hope-of-russia-pull-back/

ESO: Background information: Foreign Affairs Council - 19 January 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/foreign-affairs-council-19-january-2015/

EUObserver, 20.01.15: Russia finds few friends in EU sanctions talks https://euobserver.com/foreign/127287

United States: US President: President Obama’s State of the Union Address 2015 https://medium.com/@WhiteHouse/president-obamas-state-of-the-union-address-remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-55f9825449b2

ESO: Key Source: EU sanctions against Russia over Ukraine crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine-crisis/

EurActiv, 26.01.15: Tusk slams Moscow 'appeasement' as EU debates new sanctions on Russia http://www.euractiv.com/sections/europes-east/tusk-slams-moscow-appeasement-eu-debates-new-sanctions-russia-311544

EUObserver, 25.01.15: EU threatens more Russia sanctions after Mariupol attack https://euobserver.com/foreign/127356

EUObserver, 26.01.15: Poland attacks 'Russophile' France in sanctions talks https://euobserver.com/foreign/127380

Sputnik International, 27.01.15: EU Leaders Call on FMs to Consider New Sanctions Against Russia http://sputniknews.com/politics/20150127/1017396366.html

ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/

Deutsche Welle, 28.01.15: EU calls for expanded Russian sanctions http://dw.de/p/1ESJF

ESO: Background information: Statement of the Heads of State or Government [Ukraine] http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-of-the-heads-of-state-or-government-ukraine/

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