E.U., U.S. and U.K. to jointly impose newer and stricter sanctions on Russia, if it invades Ukraine
The new sanctions have been worked closely with the U.S. to draw up options going beyond existing sanctions targeting Russia’s financial and energy sectors, dual-use goods and defence. The new sanctions will be imposed by E.U. in collaboration with U.K. and U.S
The President of European Commission – Ursula von der Leyen has warned that European Union (E.U.) will scale up existing sanctions and adopt “unprecedented measures with serious consequences” if Russia invades Ukraine.
Ursula said while there are already sanctions on Russia, the bloc will not shy away from imposing newer and more strict sanctions. Russia’s finance, energy and sectors already face sanctions because of its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula in 2014.
Simultaneously, the newly elected Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz has also said that any violation of territorial integrity will have a very high price. The Prime Minister of U.K. – Boris Johnson also said if Russia were “so rash and mad” as to invade Ukraine, it would face a tough package of sanctions from London and its allies.
Taking it to twitter, Ursula tweeted,
We all shared our concern
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 15, 2021
about the Russian military build-up
along Ukraine's eastern border.
We assured Ukraine of our support and commitment to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Let there be no doubt: the EU will respond firmly to any aggressions against Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/s7GuSfmAON
Talking of maintaining relations with Russia, she tweeted, “Of course, we would want good relations with Russia. But this depends on Russia´s behaviour. I call on Russia to de-escalate, pursue diplomatic channels and abide by international commitments. The place to solve conflicts is the negotiation table.”
As per the United States (U.S.) Intelligence, more than 100,000 Russian troops are stationed near Ukraine border who will invade Ukraine early next year. But the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin has clearly said that Russia will not invade Ukraine.
Extending support to the people of Ukraine, she tweeted, “The EU fully supports Ukraine in the face of the Russian aggression. Any further aggressive acts against Ukraine will have massive costs for Russia. We can scale up and expand existing sanctions or adopt additional ones, if needed.”
The new sanctions have been worked closely with the U.S. to draw up options going beyond existing sanctions targeting Russia’s financial and energy sectors, dual-use goods and defence. The new sanctions will be imposed by E.U. in collaboration with U.K. and U.S. She did not share the details of the sanctions yet. The President of France – Emmanuel Macron and Olaf will hold talks with the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Brussels.
Earlier in 2015, it was France and Germany who brought Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table and brokered a peace agreement that helped end large-scale hostilities in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russia-backed separatists since 2014.
Scholz warned that more talks must not be misunderstood as a new German ‘Ostpolitik’, referring to West German Chancellor Willy Brandt’s policy of truce towards the communist Eastern bloc in the early 1970s. He said there can be European Ostpolitik in a united Europe that is on principles of international law and order.
