PM Sobotka: Czech Republic “reserved” on possible blanket anti-Russia sanctions

The Czech Republic has a reserved stance towards the EU’s possible blanket economic sanctions against Russia over its actions in Crimea, Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka told the European Affairs Committee of the Czech lower house. Mr Sobotka also said he did not expect an agreement on sanctions to be reached at an EU summit to be held in Brussels on Thursday or Friday. The Czech prime minister reiterated that his country would not impose any sanctions of its own as they could undermine trade with Russia and hurt the Czech economy.