Russia has condemned the European Union's move to step up sanctions against Syria by banning imports of its oil, amid ongoing protests against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the sanctions would lead to nothing good. Oil accounts for about 25 per cent of Syria's income and EU member states take about 95 per cent of its oil exports.Moscow has consistently opposed Western calls for sanctions on Syria and, along with China, has boycotted UN Security Council talks on a proposal to impose sanctions on Assad, instead calling on him to implement reforms.