Russia said on Friday that despite Brussels’ “non-constructive” policy, Moscow is committed to helping implement peace plan in Ukraine, shortly after new sanctions against Russia went into force.

Russia said on Friday that despite Brussels’ “non-constructive” policy, Moscow is committed to helping implement peace plan in Ukraine, shortly after new sanctions against Russia went into force.

The sanctions target major oil firms, defense companies and state-owned banks, denying them access to finance in crucial European markets.
They also add 24 individuals to a blacklist of people facing a travel ban and asset freeze.

In response to the sanctions, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said EU “does not see or is unwilling to see” Russia’s efforts to establish peace in Ukraine.

Despite Brussels’ “non-constructive” policy, Moscow is committed to helping implement the peace plan, the presidential spokesman noted, according to RT.

“We are sorry that the European Union has adopted a new round of sanctions. We have repeatedly expressed our discontent with the previously-imposed sanctions and our disagreement with them. We also considered them illegal.”

The EU decision “is absolutely beyond understanding and explanation,” Peskov added, especially given Russia’s recent efforts to help stop the bloodshed in Ukraine and peacefully resolve the conflict between Kiev and southeastern regions.

He also stressed that Brussels either fails to see or “is unwilling to see the real situation in Donbass and does not want to get informed about the steps the parties are taking towards settlement.”

The sanctions took effect after being published in the EU's official journal.
Russian oil giants Rosneft and Transneft plus the petroleum unit of gas giant Gazprom are specifically targeted by the new punitive measures.

They also target United Aircraft Corporation -- the parent company that produces MiG and Sukhoi fighter jets among others -- tank maker Uralvagonzavod, and state-controlled aerospace holding company and helicopter maker Oboronprom.

EU nations approved the sanctions on Thursday after a week of divisions about whether they should be implemented despite a ceasefire in Ukraine.

European Council president Herman Van Rompuy said that the punitive measures could be lifted after a review of the truce at the end of September.