The crisis in Ukraine represents a new risk to the world economy, said Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde.
There could be complicated consequences, because the conflict has an effect on international trade, foreign direct investments and also on the capital flow and energy supply to Europe, said Lagarde at an interview published by the German newspaper Handelsblatt.
In the IMF’s top leader, the crisis still represents danger, which is very difficult to assess and the risk of affceting other countries is unpredictable. However, she said that the consequences could be serious.
The European Council officially approved more sanctions against Russia for its stance towards the situation in Ukraine, adding 15 officials to a black list of people that have been banned from entering the European Union (EU).
The decision coincides with restrictions imposed by the United States against Russian officials and companies.
The pretext to approve a second group of sanctions against Moscow is its supposed activity to support groups of the Russian majority in the Ukrainian southeastern region that are against Kiev’s pro-coup Government, those in favor of integrating the former Soviet republic to Russia.
Sources of the community said that they are analyzing the possibility to impose a third group of sanctions that will be economic this time, against Russia. (PL)