EU and US working to strengthen sanctions and counter Russia’s shadow fleet - Macron
Photo: Emmanuel Macron, President of France (Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the European Union and the United States are working together to strengthen anti-Russian sanctions and counter Russia’s shadow fleet, according to the French leader’s remarks during a joint briefing with the President of Ukraine.
He expressed hope that the war could be brought to an end by 2027. According to him, the past few months "have been marked by decisions that became real turning points."
Macron emphasized that the key factor is the unity of the EU with the United States and other major partners to maintain pressure on Russia.
The French leader added that the decision to impose sanctions on Russia’s oil giants is a "turning point." In his view, it "will start to bear fruit alongside the strengthening of our actions against Russia’s shadow fleet, which finances over a third of Russia’s military operations."
Macron is convinced that pressure and dialogue in cooperation with the US must continue in the future.
"On my part, I remain firmly committed to achieving this peace. I believe we must continue to increase pressure, as we are doing through sanctions and efforts against the shadow fleet," the French president said.
US sanctions
In October, the US approved new sanctions against Russia. The restrictions targeted two oil giants — Rosneft and Lukoil.
As a result, other countries were forced to reduce their purchases of Russian oil and cease cooperation with its oil companies.
In particular, US President Donald Trump recently stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has almost completely stopped buying oil from Russia.
The authorities in Bulgaria decided to nationalize Lukoil’s refinery on their territory in order to sell it to other owners.
