EU must prepare more Russia sanctions: UK’s Hague

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague says the European Union (EU) must have tougher sanctions ready to impose on Russia over the Ukraine crisis, if need be.

Hague made the remarks on Friday as he arrived for a meeting of EU foreign ministers in the Greek capital, Athens.

“It’s very important for us to remain strong and united about the sanctions that we have implemented against individuals in Russia and Crimea, and to prepare more far-reaching measures if they become necessary,” said Hague.

The British secretary added that “Europe must not relax” on the Ukraine crisis since Moscow has not reduced tensions over the issue.

Large numbers of Russian forces remain on Ukraine’s eastern border and that there have been only a “token withdrawal” of troops by Russia, Hague added.

The comments by Hague came prior to talks with his 27 EU counterparts, in which they were to discuss measures to support Ukraine.

No decisions are expected to be reached during the Athens meeting; however, possible new sanctions against Russia were to be discussed as well as the 15-billion-dollar EU aid package to Kiev announced in recent weeks.

The EU as well as the United States imposed sanctions against a number of Russian and Crimean officials after Crimea declared independence from Ukraine on March 17 and formally applied to become part of the Russian Federation.

The independence declaration came a day after a referendum was held in Crimea, in which nearly 97 percent of Crimean voters said yes to reunion with Russia.

On March 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law the documents officially making Crimea part of the Russian territory. Putin said the move was carried out based on the international law.