The European Union Considers Improving Relations with Russia 'Without Lifting Sanctions'

European Union leaders will discuss the possibility of improving relations with Russia next month, reportedly due to dissatisfaction among some EU member states regarding the continuation of sanctions imposed because of Russia's role in the Ukraine crisis. Reuters reports that despite political and legal challenges against these sanctions, most of which were imposed due to the annexation of Crimea by Russia, economic sanctions are likely to remain in place. Investigations by the news agency in recent months have shown that despite these sanctions, some European companies, including the Metro supermarket chain in Germany and the French company Auchan, are still trading with Russia. EU leaders will address this issue at their next summit on October 20 and 21. Meanwhile, Britain's exit from the EU has weakened the hardliners' stance against Russia, and Brussels' relations with the new nationalist government in Poland have also cooled. Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Slovakia, and Hungary are not particularly in favor of continuing sanctions against Russia. They advocate for full trade relations with Russia, the main source of Europe's gas supply, arguing that relations with Russia will help boost the EU's sluggish economic growth. A senior EU official stated that 'continuing sanctions against Russia will be difficult due to opposition from some members. However, it is possible to convince the dissenting countries that the EU's policy towards Russia is not solely about sanctions and includes other elements.' Another EU official mentioned that 'several member states support reducing strictness against Russia and want to show that if Moscow takes small steps, the EU will also be inclined towards normalizing relations. Conversely, another group of member states advocates for stricter measures against Russia.' He added that 'ultimately, our position will remain almost the same as today. However, the strength of countries favoring softer relations with Russia lies in the fact that extending sanctions requires unanimous agreement from all members, but no country wants to be the sole blocker. Although if the number of such countries reaches several, the situation will change.' The EU initially imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the annexation of Crimea and later expanded them due to Russia's support for rebels fighting in eastern Ukraine. As a result of this conflict, which began in April 2014, over 9,500 people have lost their lives. European sanctions against Russia include travel bans, asset freezes for individuals and entities, reducing or halting trade with Russia in energy, finance, and military sectors, and limiting trade and business relations with Crimea. However, recent investigations and reports from Reuters indicate that enforcing these sanctions is very challenging. For instance, products sold in German Metro stores or French Auchan stores in Crimea are shipped from Russia to ports that the EU has sanctioned. Both supermarket chains claim they have not violated EU sanctions because their activities in Crimea are conducted by a Russian subsidiary that is not on the EU's sanctions list. The investigations revealed that in August this year, a Russian energy company transferred turbines purchased from the German company Siemens to Crimea. It appears that Siemens was unaware of the transfer of this equipment to Crimea or did not object if it was informed. Italy is calling for a comprehensive discussion on EU-Russia relations every six months instead of approving the continuation of these sanctions. January 2017 will mark the potential renewal of sanctions. It seems that governments taking a tougher stance against Russia have gradually realized that to maintain unity among EU member states, some degree of flexibility may need to be accepted.