Interviews, press-conferences and speeches

Let me start by stating something that may sound as a paradox to many of you, but is still a true reflection of reality.
Question: US-Russia relations are at a very low point over the Syria conflict, the US has suspended the ceasefire talks.
Question: How has the relationship between the EU and Russia been impacted by the sanctions? And would the relationship recover if sanctions were removed?   
Question: Today the Council of the EU prolonged by 6 months the application of another set of EU anti-Russian sanctions over the situation in Ukraine. What is your comment on that?