The EU will prepare possible new sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict that could be imposed quickly if the Minsk ceasefire agreement is broken.

The EU will prepare possible new sanctions on Russia over the Ukraine conflict that could be imposed quickly if the Minsk ceasefire agreement is broken, Britain’s foreign minister said on Friday.

“The EU will remain united on the question of sanctions. Sanctions must remain in place until there is full compliance [with the Minsk agreement],” Reuters quoted Philip Hammond as saying in Warsaw.

Hammond added that Britain does not have plans to supply Kiev with weapons.
However, it is “not ruling anything out for the future” as the situation in east Ukraine is “dynamic,” the minister said.

NATO accuses Russia of sending weapons, funds and troops to assist the rebel advance, negating a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine where conflict has already killed more than 5,000.

Moscow denies involvement in fighting for territory the Kremlin now calls "New Russia".