EU says it's ready for more Russia sanctions if necessary

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By Alistair Scrutton and Aija Krutaine RIGA (Reuters) - The European Union is ready to step up sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict, but its priority is to bolster a fragile ceasefire agreed in Minsk, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Friday. Mogherini, attending a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Latvia, said the need now was to strengthen ceasefire monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), a rights and security watchdog. Despite some signs of improvement in eastern Ukraine since a new ceasefire was agreed last month, there was no question of the EU easing sanctions now, she said. "We need ... to strengthen the OSCE mission that is on the ground now." The EU has joined the United States in imposing sanctions on Russia but has found it increasingly difficult to agree on tougher measures as many member states rely heavily on Russia for energy.




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