Several EU states impose arms ban on Russia
BRUSSELS - Most of the EU’s top arms exporters have imposed a quiet ban on sales to Russia, but Ukraine’s military embargo could have a bigger impact on the crisis.
EU countries are still in talks on whether to impose a collective arms ban as part of “stage three” sanctions if Russia escalates.
The indecisiveness has seen France press ahead with delivery of two “Mistral” warships to the Russian navy in a deal worth €1.2 billion.
France has also not ruled out approving new defence contracts so long as there is no EU-level policy.
Spain, which has no ongoing Russia contracts, is taking the same line. Miguel Morer Errea, a Spanish defence ministry spokesman, told EUobserver “it couldn’t be said an embargo has been imposed on Russia [by Spain]”. He added that any new request for an export licence would be treated “on a case-by-case basis”.
http://euobserver.com/investigations/124883
