The EU had given great hopes in the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Turkey. The course of Kremlin chief Putin, however, caused disillusionment. Brussels wants consequences – and announces new sanctions against Russia.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a proposal for a new EU sanction package in the face of the Russian course in the negotiations on the end of the war against Ukraine. “This package will contain sanctions against Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, for example,” said von der Leyen at a meeting of European heads of state and government in the Albanian capital Tirana.
In addition, it should include further sanctions against the Russian financial sector and against ships of the Russian shadow fleet as well as a decision to reduce the oil price lid.
North stream sanctions rather symbolic
The latter had already been appointed in 2022 and is intended to force Russia to sell oil for a maximum of $ 60 per barrel (159 liters) to customers in other countries. The measure aims to reduce one of the most important Russian sources of income and thus also restrict the country's ability to continue the war of aggression against Ukraine.
The possible sanctions against Nord Stream would be more symbolic, since the tubes in the Baltic Sea are currently no gas flowing to Europe anyway. One of the two tubes from Nord Stream 2 was destroyed in an attack in September 2022, as was the strands of the North Stream 1 pipeline that has already been put into operation.
The EU member states must vote on this. In the past, there had been repeated disputes about the EU's Russia sanctions, especially with Hungary.
“Selenskyj ready – Putin never appeared”
From the Leyen, the preparation of the new sanction package said that Russia rejected the call of the EU and the USA for a complete and unconditional ceasefire for 30 days. In addition, President Vladimir Putin did not travel to Turkey to negotiate with the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj, which the Kremlin boss had offered himself. “President Selenskyj was ready for the meeting – President Putin never appeared,” said von der Leyen. This shows Putin's true intention: he does not want peace.
Further sanctions in preparation
The new plans have nothing to do with the already negotiated 17th EU package with Russia sanctions. This is to be formally decided on Tuesday at a Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels. Among other things, it provides for a further tightening of the procedure against the so -called Russian shadow fleet for the transport of oil and oil products.
It is also planned to target dozens of other companies that are involved in the bypass of existing sanctions or support the Russian armaments industry.
