Many EU countries call for sanctions against Russia, but then ignore them themselves. Such recognition was made by the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece Nikos Kotzias, informs RIA Novosti news agency.. He said that at a meeting held in Luxembourg on Monday, April 16, the Foreign Affairs Council of the member states discussed, including, relations with Moscow. According to the Greek minister, Athens has repeatedly advocated the abolition of anti-Russian restrictive measures, but his country "out of solidarity" voted for their extension. As a result, the economy of Hellas annually bears losses of hundreds of millions of euros. "I said that we must adhere to a democratic discussion of each topic that worries us, and that the decisions we take must be carried out. For example, many countries insist on sanctions against Russia and at the same time develop trade with it. I showed that Greece is on the 26th place on trade with Russia and only on the 27th to develop trade, "- said Kotzias. Grek stressed that most of the EU countries are developing trade relations with Russia "outside the subject of sanctions". Also, the minister commented on the situation with the bombing in Syria and allegedly in the Khimatka in the Duma. In his opinion, it is necessary to condemn not only the alleged use of chemical weapons in the suburbs of Damascus, but also any military action in Africa. "We must look and how to protect the Kurdish population. I stressed today that the chemical war in Syria means a violation of the rules of war. Turkey also attacks on Afrin violates international law, as it violates the Lausanne Treaty, "- said Kotzias. Earlier today, the US special envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker, because of anti-Russian sanctions, warned with a finger at Rome, they say, Italians will face problems in their relations with the EU if they are canceled. "Italy will not be able to lift sanctions against Russia without serious consequences," the American said in an interview with the newspaper La Stampa.

He believes that in this case, Rome will have problems with Brussels. Volker recalled that sanctions against Moscow are "not Italian, but European measures". And he immediately called on the European Union to tighten anti-Russian restrictive measures after the States, so to speak, that everyone was in the same order.

"We strengthened them by taking measures against people very close to the president (Vladimir) Putin. It would be very useful to see that the EU will join us, "the American.