US and EU agree for first time: Zelenskyy on new Russia sanctions
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: president.gov.ua)
The US and the EU are coordinating future sanctions against Russia for the first time, states Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with journalists.
He said that currently the American side - specifically Republican Senator Lindsey Graham along with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal and other colleagues - are preparing joint sanctions against Russia.
“They have started coordinating them with the EU, and that’s a very good sign because the American package is strong, and the 18th European package will be strong as well. If they have begun coordinating, then I believe there will be two strong packages. But unfortunately, it doesn’t depend on us,” Zelenskyy said.
Graham, together with Blumenthal, is a co-author of the sanctions bill against Russia. During his visit to Kyiv, Graham stated that the Senate may begin reviewing the sanctions bill against Russia next week.
Sanctions against Russia
On May 20, the European Union approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia and is already working on further restrictions.
Earlier, the leaders of France, Germany, the UK, and other European countries expressed their readiness to increase pressure on Moscow if it does not cease fire or take steps toward a peaceful settlement.
US President Donald Trump also stated that he was considering imposing sanctions on Russia. However, Washington has been cautious so far because, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sanctions could push Russia to withdraw from the negotiation process aimed at ending the war against Ukraine.
As reported, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham initiated a bill proposing devastating sanctions against Russia. These include imposing a 500% tariff on imports from countries that continue to buy Russian energy resources - oil, gas, petroleum products, and uranium.
