European Union is working with Turkey, China and Gulf countries so that they would support sanctions against Russia and would not contribute to bypassing these restrictive measures, Peter Stano, official representative of the European Commission told reporters, RIA Novosti reported.

He commented on how effective the EU sanctions are when many other states, in particular Turkey and China, do not support them.

"Countries that are EU partners play an important role in exerting pressure where they have such an opportunity,” Stano said at a briefing in Brussels.

He said the EU welcomed Turkey's role in taking on the role of mediator by organizing a meeting of Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers. Turkey plays its role in this as a partner and as a member of NATO, the European representative explained.

Stano added that the EU was working with other mentioned countries, in particular, with the states of the Persian Gulf.