EU meets as some countries seek tougher sanctions

BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union foreign ministers are meeting to consider further sanctions against Russia because of the downing of the Malaysian jetliner, with Britain and some other countries demanding much tougher measures.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius blamed “terrorists supplied by Moscow” for the airliner’s destruction and the deaths of all 298 people aboard, and said he hoped the Tuesday meeting will approve beefed-up sanctions against Russia. He called for an arms embargo — a direct challenge to France, which is building two warships for the Russian navy.

So far, EU sanctions against Russia and its supporters in Ukraine have been relatively mild, though the EU was moving to broaden them before the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine. British Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday the disaster has drastically changed the situation.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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