CRI听力:New EU Sanctions on Russia Take Effect

European Union governments have agreed that new economic sanctions on Russia will take affect from today.

The new sanctions include curbing access to European capital markets for Russian banks as well as limiting export of defense, technologies and dual-use goods.

EU ambassadors say some or all of the sanctions may be lifted next month if the ceasefire in Ukraine holds.

Maja Kocijancic is the spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

"And what I can also say is that member states will, in light of the developments on the ground, by the end of the month do a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in Ukraine and a peace plan and in light of that and obviously taking into account developments on the ground the Commission and the external action service will be invited to put forward proposal for possible amendments."

The Russian Foreign Ministry says the country will respond to EU sanctions with its own measures.

Alexander Lukashevich is the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman.

"As we have already said and commented, these are completely unfriendly and contradictory to EU interests. Russian officials at different levels have already made it clear that we will in turn take adequate measures and that our answer will be absolutely commensurate with the damage these sanctions cause to the economy of our country."

The Polish state gas company has already said that gas supplies from Russia are continuing to drop further below requested levels.

Russia is an important gas supplier for many EU nations.

Meanwhile, the United States plans to provide details on new U.S. sanctions later today.

It is reported the U.S. plans to sanction Sberban, Russia's largest bank and to further limit other Russian banks' access to U.S. capital.

Countries including the U.S have accused Russia of sending arms and troops to eastern Ukraine to support the rebels, a claim Russia denies.