Extended EU sanctions against Russia adopted over Moscow’s alleged
support for the rebels in Ukraine will not have any significant impact on
the Czech economy, the country’s prime minister, Bohuslav Sobotka, said
in a statement on Wednesday. The sanctions are targeting Russia’s oil
sector, defence equipment and sensitive technologies. However, the Czech
Republic’s trade to Russia is based on civilian goods, Mr Sobotka said.
The opposition Civic Democrats have questioned the prime minister’s
claim, and said any effective sanctions must also logically hurt those who
impose them.