EU delays new Russian sanctions under Ukraine's request

The European Union has postponed implementing new sanctions against representatives of the Russian authorities under the request of Ukraine.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius told BNS agency on Monday evening.

He said that the implantation of the new sanctions has been delayed for several days so that the Russian side has less of an excuse for avoiding the talks in Minsk on Wednesday.

However, the minister said that this doesn't mean the EU sanctions have been revoked or softened.

The Normandy format meeting (Ukraine-Russia-Germany-France) is scheduled to be held in Minsk on February 11.

As reported, EU foreign ministers said on Monday that they will delay the implementation of sanctions against a new group of individuals and companies in Russia and eastern Ukraine.

The ministers said this is because they want to give a further push for negotiations between all sides.