– Europe Agrees To Disagree Over New Russian Sanctions (ZeroHedge, July 22, 2 014):
As usual, Europe is talking out of both sides of its mouth (or other orifices). On the one hand, we are told:
- EU foreign ministers failed to agree new sanctions against Russia at a Brussels meeting
And on the other hand:
- Dutch minister says EU imposing new sanctions on officials over Russia
So – which is it Europe?
EU foreign ministers failed to agree new sanctions against Russia at a Brussels meeting on Tuesday and instead tasked their diplomats to explore possible wider-ranging measures this week.
Although such measures could include cutting off access to Europe’s capital markets and an arms embargo, they would be contingent on whether Russia fails to cooperate in the future, not on past behaviour – like ties to the downing of MH17, reports the FT’s Peter Spiegel in Brussels.
Dutch minister says EU is imposing new sanctions on officials over Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
The Germans remain the most anxious of the repurcussions…
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that while Berlin was still willing to talk with Russia, greater economic pressure was needed to make Moscow change course.
“I say we remain open to defusing the situation with all political and diplomatic means but it will be necessary to accompany this willingness with higher pressure, which also means sharper measures,” he told reporters on arrival.
And Britain the most aggressive…
Britain’s new Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he would urge fellow ministers to “send a very clear and strong signal to Russia today”.
Along with Lithuania…
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said it was “time to name names” and to put Ukraine’s breakaway republics of Luhansk and Donetsk on the EU’s list of terrorist organizations.
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Dis-united States of Europe…