EU diplomats give green light to further sanctions against Russia today – POLITICO

EU ambassadors this afternoon will discuss another round of sanctions against Russia, according to two diplomats, who are expecting the package to be given the political green light at the meeting.

Diplomats said the new package includes sanctions targeting many Russian oligarchs and maritime industry actors, but will not hit any ports directly to avoid disrupting trade. trade and energy supply, diplomats said.

Ukraine and the US have also called on the EU to also target Russian gas and oil imports as part of international sanctions. European Commission heavyweights such as Finance and Commercial Director Valdis Dombrovskis and Climate Director Frans Timmermans also argue that there is no point in stopping Russian aggression, because of energy imports. of Europe is funding Putin’s war machine.

However, one diplomat stressed that more time is needed to find a consensus among EU countries on the issue of oil targeting, especially in the context of Germany’s public opposition to Russia’s energy ban. This issue will be discussed by EU leaders at informal summit this weekenddiplomat said.

According to the second diplomat, if new sanctions are agreed, formal adoption could come as early as tomorrow. They will top a long list of previous EU sanctions, in coordination with the US and UK, including financial sanctions.

At the same time, Brussels is also discussing with other G7 countries the removal of trade benefits that Russia enjoys at the World Trade Organization, with an announcement likely to be made later in the day. now on.

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