Rikard Jozwiak

The EU has now officially prolonged the economic sanctions against #Russia for another 6 months. Comes a day after a majority of MPs from the 28 EU member states voted in favour of letting the Russian delegation back to PACE. It’s a strange world indeed. #Ukraine #Crimea

the PACE delegations of #Estonia, #Lithuania, #Poland #Georgia #Latvia #Ukraine & #Slovakia have left PACE after #Russia vote: "We return home to consult our Parliaments and Governments about the joint actions in the Assembly in the next sessions."

PACE voted in favour of a report that ratifies the credentials of the Russian delegation without any threats of sanctions. 116 for, 62 against, 15 abstentions. the only hope is now the Venice Commission. the Russian delegation is up till then provisionally back. #Russia #Ukraine

New development at PACE: Rules committee failed to come to an agreed opinion on Russian credentials & decided to ask Venice Commission whether MPs elected from party lists in nat elections with votes from #Crimea can be considered as legitimately elected. #Russia #Ukraine

This afternoon PACE will consider a report that might re-impose some sanctions on the Russian delegation and prompt them to walk out. Many twists and turns this week...#Russia #Ukraine #Crimea

The most interesting aspect of the decision that will allow #Russia to return to PACE is that 4 out 18 in their delegation are sanctioned by the EU. The examination of the delegation’s credential starts at 10.00. #Ukraine #Crimea

the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) have voted in favour of a report that will allow the return the delegation from #Russia to the chamber. 118 for 62 against 10 abstentions. 1st Western sanctions against Moscow to fall. #Ukraine #Crimea

The Parliamentary assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) will today debate & prob vote on a report that allows #Russia to return to the chamber immediately. If it happens it would be the 1st “sanctions” against Rus imposed by the West after the #Crimea takeover that falls. #Ukraine

Eu leaders have agreed to prolong the economic sanctions on #Russia for another six months. Formal extension nxt week. They have been in place for 5 years now. Back in 2014 diplomats predicted that they wouldn’t last for a year. #Ukraine #Crimea

the EU has just prolonged its #Crimea investment ban by another year. #Russia #Ukraine

general affairs ministerial over. in the end we landed in October for a "clear and substantive" decision on starting EU accession negotiations with #NorthMacedonia & #Albania

EU ambs still haven’t managed to agree on concl for #NorthMacedonia & #Albania. Up to ministers tomorrow. Sep is no longer an option to take a decision on the opening of EU accession talks according to #Germany. October appeared in a draft, some push for July, might be just ASAP

the draft statement for the EU-#Ukraine summit (8 July) mentions Ukraine's European aspirations and condemns #Russia over #Crimea annexation and handing out passports in Donbas. no mention of the education law, unlike last year's communique

The latest draft regarding the opening of EU accession negotiations for #Albania & #NorthMacedonia states that member states will “revert to the issue with a view to concluding on a positive decision as soon as possible and no later than September 2019.”

Quite a lot about #Russia in the draft #EUCO conclusions. A call to release the 24 sailors captured near the #KerchStrait, non-recognition of illegally issued Russian passports & a call for the resumption of negotiation efforts for Minsk agreements. #Ukraine #Crimea

EU ambassadors will discuss Western Balkans today. draft conclusions on #Albania & #NorthMacedonia still in brackets and no wording yet on opening EU accession negotiations for either of them. looks unlikely that minsters will take a decision in General Affairs Council next week

EU ambassadors today decided to extend the bloc’s investment ban on #Crimea by another year. Formal roll-over in the next weeks. #Russia #Ukraine

EU calls the decision to drop the charges of "illegal production or sale of drugs" against #Golunov a “positive outcome” but adds that “his initial detention and subsequent house arrest, however, added to an already worrying trend with respect to media freedom in #Russia”