Russia has stepped up its efforts to consolidate ties with governments and forces in EU countries sympathetic to Moscow, for historic or economic reasons, or both. The EurActiv network reports.
A recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to Austria, only days ahead of a EU summit beginning today (26 June), is perceived by some member countries as an offense, EurActiv was told.
Western powers warned Russia yesterday that they could impose new sanctions if Moscow did not do more to defuse the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
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Britain, France, Poland, Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have pushed for tougher sanctions on Russia while Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Austria, Spain, Portugal and Malta have been among the most reluctant EU states. Consequently, it appears as highly unlikely that EU members could adopt a decision to move to the third stage of sanctions aimed at particular sector of Russian economy.
http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/russia-counts-eu-friends-avert-further-sanctions-303091
Such matters are not settled by a majority vote - they need 100% concensus