Ukraine has called for sanctions targeting the nuclear sector
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky today called for more sanctions against Russia from the European Unionbut new sanctions being prepared by the EU for the one-year anniversary of the start of the war look set to fall short of Kiev’s expectations.
After Moscow invaded Ukraine a year ago, the EU imposed unprecedented sanctions targeting Russia’s defense and financial sectors, restricting trade and blacklisting more than 1,500 people and entities believed to be involved in provoking the war.
But the EU has still left many business relationships untouched — such as Belgium’s diamond trade with Russia — and the 27 EU member states appear to have largely exhausted the range of tough economic sanctions they can all impose. to give their necessary approval.
For example, Ukraine has called for sanctions which will target the nuclear sector but Hungary — where Russia is expected to expand the Paks nuclear power station — has already said it would veto any such move.
“We can see that the pace of Europe’s sanctions has slowed down slightly while the terrorist state, on the contrary, is increasing the pace of its adaptation to sanctions,” Zelensky said at a press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who visits Kyiv.
“It’s worth making up for and fixing this. We believe we can do it.”
Von der Leyen said the EU would have a new package of sanctions against Russia ready by February 24, the anniversary of the start of the war a year ago.
He said the oil price cap decided by the EU and its G7 partners was costing Russia $160 million a day and that another cap on oil products was imminent.
“We are making (Russian President) Vladimir Putin pay for his horrible war,” the European Commission president said at a press conference with the Ukrainian president. “Russia is paying a heavy price as our sanctions erode its economy, setting it back a generation.”
“We will continue to increase the pressure,” he said.
EU member states have yet to decide on the oil price cap, with Poland and the Baltic states pushing for a lower limit before Monday when it is scheduled to be implemented by all G7 countries.
The Czech Republic has proposed tougher technology sanctions to further limit Russia’s ability to produce weapons and rockets for war, and the EU is also working to close some loopholes and prevent sanctions evasion, for example through Belarus.
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
