Sanctions package ready, Merz reveals timing for new Russia measures
Photo: Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany (Getty Images)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a new sanctions package against Russia could be approved by the European Council during the meeting scheduled in Brussels on May 20, according to Merz’s Twitter account (X).
According to the head of the German government, the sanctions package "is already ready."
The German chancellor also commented on the situation with negotiations in Türkiye between Ukraine and Russia, following recent statements by Vladimir Putin about Moscow's alleged readiness. However, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to the initiative, the Kremlin leader refused a meeting at the leaders' level.
Merz noted in his social media post that "the fact that President Zelenskyy went to Istanbul despite this is a huge gesture."
Meanwhile, the German chancellor added that Putin "did not show up - and that made him the only one in the wrong."
"The new sanctions package is ready. We will decide on it Tuesday in Brussels," Merz said.
Western sanctions against Russia
The last sanctions package against Russia over its military aggression against Ukraine was adopted by the European Union in February. It was the 16th package of restrictions against the aggressor country. Since then, discussions about a new anti-Russian sanctions package have continued.
Discussions about possible sanctions from the US side have periodically been raised by American senators, the White House, and US President Donald Trump.
According to Western media, the Trump administration had already prepared options for increasing economic pressure on Russia and was waiting for the president’s green light. Earlier, the American leader said that "the US and its partners will impose additional sanctions" if a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia is not respected.
European partners of Ukraine have announced their readiness to tighten restrictions against Russia if it does not agree to a ceasefire. The EU has stated it is considering further sanctions. European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and others have also spoken about increasing sanctions pressure.
On May 14, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU had already agreed on the 17th sanctions package against Russia.
Recently, Bloomberg reported that European leaders are prepared to wait for a possible Putin-Zelenskyy meeting in Istanbul before pushing the US to join new sanctions against Russia.
Additionally, European Commission spokesperson Paula Pinheiro stated that if Putin does not come to Türkiye for talks with Zelenskyy, new sanctions will await Russia.
Yesterday, in an interview with ZEIT, German Chancellor Merz said that Germany and its partners agreed to "exhaust all possibilities" in imposing sanctions on Russia due to its refusal to establish a ceasefire. He also added that Berlin is pressing Moscow with the condition: either a ceasefire with Ukraine or increased sanctions.
