EU Commission chief says Europe wants to hit Russia with new sanctions simultaneously with US
Photo: Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (Getty Images)
The European Union is ready to impose sanctions on Russia simultaneously with the USA in order to pressure Moscow into agreeing to peace talks, Politico reports, citing European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
In an interview on the Berlin Playbook Podcast, the President of the European Commission emphasized that the EU is primarily focused on sanctions targeting Russian energy and pressuring Russia's sources of financing.
Politico adds that the new EU restrictions may affect companies linked to the two Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany, as well as a reduction in the oil price cap.
Following her meeting with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, which took place on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen welcomed his plans to continue pressuring Russia.
"If the Americans decide to impose sanctions, then the 500-percent tariffs will be included in that package," the European Commission President explained.
According to von der Leyen's Spokesperson Paula Pinho, the EU's strategy is to closely coordinate actions with the United States. At the same time, these actions cannot be identical.
Sanctions against Russia
After the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Western countries imposed extensive sanctions on Russia. These restrictions targeted various sectors: financial, energy, military-industrial, and technological. Their goal is to weaken the aggressor's economic capabilities and make it more difficult to continue the war.
On May 20, the EU adopted its 17th package of sanctions against Russia and has already begun working on new restrictions.
Meanwhile, as noted by US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg, American sanctions against Russia have also been prepared, and both Congress and the White House are ready to approve them.
