Russia has criticized the European Union, saying the 28-member bloc has agreed “behind the back” to lift restrictions on supplying Ukraine with munitions.

“We noticed that at the recent meeting at the European Council in Brussels, Belgium, the leaders of the EU member states 'quietly' agreed to lift the restrictions on the exports of equipment to Ukraine that may be used for internal repressions. The export of military technologies and equipment has been also allowed,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday without saying exactly when the decision was made by the EU.

The statement further noted that the move is "pierced" by double standards, and runs counter to the rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment adopted by the EU Council on December 8, 2008.

The Russian Foreign Ministry also urged the EU to reinstate the ban on supplies of military equipment to Ukraine.

It also called upon European leaders not to be "goaded" by Washington over events in eastern Ukraine.

On July 23, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) noted that the nature of the clashes in Ukraine’s eastern regions had changed to that of an armed conflict.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the ongoing military campaign in the country. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said last week that more than 200,000 Ukrainians had fled their homes, with many escaping to Russia.

SS