Russia warns against EU sanctions

MOSCOW, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Russian officials have said sanctions against their country being considered by the European Union would be a "grave mistake."

Vladimir Chizhov, the Russian ambassador to the EU, said any sanctions imposed on Russia over the conflict with Georgia would harm the 27-nation bloc just as much as they would hurt Russia, the EU Observer reported Friday.

"First of all, I highly doubt that (sanctions) might ever happen, but hypothetically speaking, this would be to the detriment of the European Union as much, if not more, than to Russia," Rus Chizhov said Thursday.

France, which currently holds the EU presidency, has said "sanctions are being considered and many other means as well" ahead of a Monday EU summit on the Russia-Georgia conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the idea of putative measures against Russia is the result of a "sick imagination."

Britain, Sweden, Poland and three Baltic EU members are so far the only countries to openly call for sanctions against Russia.

"I can only express the wish that European leaders will be able to rise above the emotions of the day and consider seriously and without prejudice the perspectives of strategic partnership with their important partner, the Russian Federation," Chizhov said.