EU and US coordinate new sanctions against Russia
The European Union and the US have agreed to coordinate new packages of sanctions against Russia. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, in order to increase the pressure in case Russia blocks peace talks, the 17th He stated that the EU sanctions package will be activated simultaneously with the 'overwhelming' sanctions of the USA.
The European Union and the United States agreed to coordinate new packages of sanctions against Russia.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated in a statement after his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington that the EU has prepared the 17th sanctions package against Russia and that they are working to make this package effective simultaneously with the new restrictions of the USA.
“We Europeans will support this American initiative with the 17th package of sanctions, and I promised [senator] Lindsey Graham that we will try to coordinate these two sanctions packages in terms of both content and timing,” Barrot told AFP.
Republican Senator Graham said in a statement a day earlier that the US Senate would support “overwhelming” sanctions if Russia refuses to stop the military intervention in Ukraine.
Graham said that the law provides for sanctions against Russia and the imposity of 500 percent tariffs on states that buy oil, natural gas and uranium from the Kremlin.
The document in question is supported by 72 senators. This support is enough to overcome a possible Donald Trump veto.
"Putin would make a big mistake if he tried to play with Trump," Graham said, adding that this law would be "a tool to put Moscow on the negotiating table."
Barrot also stated that the purpose of the new European sanctions is to increase the pressure on Moscow if Russia rejects the ceasefire.
Barrot said that Russian President Vladimir Putin "made no effort" and "did not give any signal" that he was ready for peace.
The French Foreign Minister said, "I think it is completely clear that Vladimir Putin is the only obstacle to peace in Ukraine today."
Barrot stated that Ukraine "fulfills its share of the agreement" and accepted the additional unconditional emergency ceasefire as Kiev President Vladimir Zelenskiy mentioned.