Ukrainian President Zelenskiy called on the EU to increase sanctions against Russia
KYIV, February 2 (Reuters) – Ukraine President Vladimir Zelensky on Thursday European Union called for more punitive measures against Russia, but the new sanctions prepared by the bloc for the one year anniversary of the war will not meet the expectations of Kiev. .
Since Moscow invaded Ukraine a year ago this month, the EU has imposed unprecedented sanctions targeting Russia’s defense and financial sectors, restricting trade and blacklisting nearly 1,500 people and entities believed to be involved in the war.
But the bloc still has many business relations, including Belgium Russia leaving the diamond trade intact, and it appears that the 27 EU countries have largely exhausted the possibilities of severe economic sanctions that they could all give their necessary approval.
For example, Ukraine He called for sanctions targeting Russia’s nuclear sector, but Hungary, where Russia is due to expand the Paks nuclear power plant, has already said it would veto such steps.
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“We can see that the speed of Europe’s sanctions has slightly decreased, while the terrorist state, on the contrary, is increasing the pace of adaptation to sanctions”, – Zelensky EUchief executive of Europe He said at a press conference with the chairman of the commission. Ursula von der Leyen is on a visit to Kyiv.
“It’s worth catching and fixing (it). We believe we can do it.”
Von der Leyen said the bloc would impose a new package of sanctions on Russia for the February 24 anniversary of the start of the war, Europe’s biggest armed conflict since World War II.
According to him, the upper limit of the oil price applied by the EU and G7 partners costs Russia 160 million euros per day, and another limit comes for oil products.
“We (Russia We will pay President (Vladimir) Putin the price of his barbaric war,” he said at a press conference. “Russia is paying a heavy price because our sanctions are eroding its economy and setting it back a generation.”
“We will continue to increase the pressure.”
EU countries have yet to agree on an oil price ceiling, with the bloc’s Russia hawks Poland and the Baltics trying to lower the ceiling, which must be implemented by all G7 powers before Monday.
Czech Republic Tougher technology sanctions to further limit Russia’s ability to produce weapons and missiles for war offer did, and the bloc is also working to close loopholes and prevent sanctions evasion through Belarus.
Reporting by Dan Peleschuk in Kyiv and Gabriela Baczynska in Brussels; Edited by Frank Jack Daniel
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2023-02-02 18:08:24
Source – reuters
Translation“24 HOURS”