Brussels:
Senior European Union diplomats will meet in Brussels on Monday to consider a fresh round of sanctions against Russia over the crisis in Ukraine, several EU sources said on Saturday.
Ambassadors from the 28 member states "will meet on Monday 28 April with a view to the adoption of an additional list of 'stage 2' sanctions," such as asset freezes and travel bans, said an EU official speaking on condition of anonymity.
A list adding 15 people to the 55 Russians and Ukrainians already blacklisted by the EU was approved in principle on the eve of the April 17 Geneva talks to de-escalate the conflict, an EU diplomat said.
But the EU refrained from putting the sanctions into effect so as not to scuttle the peace talks.
However with tension mounting in Ukraine the last days amid fears Russia might invade, the Group of Seven rich countries Saturday agreed to slap further sanctions on Moscow.
"In line with the G7 statement issued today, we will work to have it all adopted before the end of the day," said the EU official, referring to the list.
Another EU diplomat close to the matter said ministers from the member states would have to be called to Brussels should the 28-nation bloc intend to ratchet up the pressure on Moscow with wide-ranging economic sanctions such as trade embargoes, known as "Phase 3" measures.
"No meeting of ministers has been scheduled for now," the source said. "We will see on Monday."
Ambassadors from the 28 member states "will meet on Monday 28 April with a view to the adoption of an additional list of 'stage 2' sanctions," such as asset freezes and travel bans, said an EU official speaking on condition of anonymity.
A list adding 15 people to the 55 Russians and Ukrainians already blacklisted by the EU was approved in principle on the eve of the April 17 Geneva talks to de-escalate the conflict, an EU diplomat said.
But the EU refrained from putting the sanctions into effect so as not to scuttle the peace talks.
However with tension mounting in Ukraine the last days amid fears Russia might invade, the Group of Seven rich countries Saturday agreed to slap further sanctions on Moscow.
"In line with the G7 statement issued today, we will work to have it all adopted before the end of the day," said the EU official, referring to the list.
Another EU diplomat close to the matter said ministers from the member states would have to be called to Brussels should the 28-nation bloc intend to ratchet up the pressure on Moscow with wide-ranging economic sanctions such as trade embargoes, known as "Phase 3" measures.
"No meeting of ministers has been scheduled for now," the source said. "We will see on Monday."
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