US and EU aligned on sanctions against Russia - German Foreign Ministry
Photo: German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (Getty Images)
The US and Europe agree on sanctions against Russia if it does not take steps to end the war in Ukraine. US senators are ready to pass a bill on new restrictions, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul says.
He spoke before the start of the second day of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Antalya, Türkiye.
According to the German minister, Europe and the United States are in "full agreement with the United States of America, and that concerns also the question of sanctions."
"There is a strong movement as you know in the American Senate, where many Senators have said that they are ready to enact a sanctions bill and the American administration is assuming that this will happen if Russia doesn't move. So far, the USA and Europe are on the same page," Wadephul said.
EU approves new sanctions against Russia
The ambassadors of the European Union have agreed on the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. The decision was made on the eve of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Türkiye.
The sanctions are aimed at about 200 Russian shadow fleet tankers used by Moscow to circumvent restrictions on oil exports. The package also includes a ban on the supply of chemicals that can be used in the production of weapons and new restrictions on dozens of companies associated with sanctions evasion.
France and Germany have previously warned that if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire, sanctions pressure will increase.
The French Foreign Minister said he would discuss new sanctions against Russia with US Senator Lindsey Graham, which, in his words, could grab Russia by the throat.
Graham has initiated a bill that would impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries that continue to buy Russian energy carriers, such as oil, gas, petroleum products, and uranium.
