EU delegation heads to US to work on sanctions against Russia, says Costa
Photo: President of the European Council António Costa (Getty Images)
The EU is strengthening coordination with the US on sanctions policy. A delegation is heading to Washington to jointly prepare new restrictions against Russia, according to a statement by European Council President António Costa in Uzhhorod.
At a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, António Costa stated that more sanctions measures are needed to force Russia to stop the war.
According to him, work on a new package of restrictions has already begun in Brussels, and the European team is heading to Washington to coordinate with American partners.
Costa said that pressure has been increased through further sanctions, both direct and secondary, in cooperation with the US and other partners. He added that work on a new sanctions package was being started in Brussels and that the European team was being sent to Washington to work with their American partners.
Europe and Ukraine – a shared future
The President of the European Council emphasized that the European Union is working together with Ukraine on a shared future, supporting the reconstruction process and Ukraine’s path toward EU membership.
Costa added that Ukraine’s membership in the European Union is clearly not only the best guarantee of security, but also the most effective path to prosperity and a better future for Ukrainians.
He also noted that the EU positively assesses the reforms Ukraine is implementing, even amid the war, and stressed the importance of continuing this work.
Full EU support for Ukraine
Costa said that Ukraine is supported in its ongoing fight in the war, in its efforts to achieve peace through negotiations, and also in its future as a full member of the European Union.
Earlier, Bild reported that US President Donald Trump had a "heated" phone conversation with European leaders following the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris. He accused EU countries of purchasing Russian oil, which helps finance the Kremlin’s military machine.
During discussions on sanctions against Russia, EU representatives proposed sending delegations to Washington within 48 hours to establish a joint working group on the issue.
At the same time, The Wall Street Journal reported that despite agreements with European partners, Trump did not make specific commitments regarding the introduction of new sanctions against Russia.
