Albania backs EU, US sanctions on Russia

TIRANA, Sept. 14 – Tirana has said it supports the recent sanctions against Russia, as the crisis in Ukraine continues.
Albanian Defense Minister Mimi Kodheli said Saturday Albania supported NATO allies in their stand in Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. NATO and the EU accuse Russia of interfering to aid Russian-speaking separatists in eastern Ukraine.
All countries in the Western Balkans, with the exception of Serbia and Bosnia, have joined EU sanctions on Russia.
Unsatisfied with a fragile cease-fire in Ukraine, the United States and the European Union levied new sanctions last Friday against major Russian banks and defense companies, as well as penalties aimed at curtailing Russia’s ability to develop oil and gas projects.
The Western sanctions came one week after Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists signed a cease-fire aimed at ending a months-long conflict. The agreement has been routinely violated, and U.S. officials say they are yet to see signs that Russia is implementing the deal in good faith.
The West has levied multiple rounds of sanctions on Russia, contributing to slower economic growth there. But the penalties have had little impact on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s calculus and U.S. officials privately acknowledge that there’s no guarantee more sanctions will get him to stop his provocations in Ukraine.