Greece objects to EU call for more Russia sanctions
January 28, 2015
Greece new government has raised a formal objection to an EU statement released on Tuesday condemning Russia’s alleged involvement in the Ukraine crisis and calling for broader sanctions.
The radical, left-wing Syriza party of Alexis Tsipras, the new prime minister, has shown itself to be staunchly pro-Russian in the past and has criticised the sanctions imposed on Moscow for its alleged role in supporting rebels in eastern Ukraine. Mr Tsipras, 40, who was sworn in on Monday following a resounding victory in Sunday’s general election, said Brussels had not secured his agreement to the EU declaration before releasing it. In one of his first acts as prime minister, he made a formal complaint to Federica Mogherini, the EU foreign policy chief.“We underline that it does not have our country’s consent. Dissatisfaction with the handling of this was expressed in a telephone conversation between the prime minister and the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Mogherini” Mr Tsipras’ office said.