The European Union is preparing a fourth package of sanctions against Russia, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The EU “will present a fourth package of sanctions,” von der Leyen told a news conference during an informal EU summit in Versailles near Paris.
Von der Leyen did not provide details on the package, but according to sources who spoke to the German News Agency (dpa), EU member states and their allies, including the US, are going to revoke the trade status of its “rather favored state”. Russia as a member of the World Trade Organization.
This measure could pave the way for the imposition of tariffs on Russian products.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described Russia’s attack on Ukraine as an attack on democracy and sovereign states, and said the European Union must get rid of its energy dependence on Russia.
The way we respond today to Russia heinous attack will determine the future of Ukraine, of our Union and of our entire continent.
Let’s stay true to the principles that have guided our response so far:
Responsibility, unity, solidarity, determination. https://t.co/61aOPXSSR9
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 11, 2022
“The way we respond today to this heinous Russian attack on Ukraine will determine the future of Ukraine and also the future of our union and beyond, even the future of the entire European continent …. “This crisis has made us face our responsibilities in the face of a new reality,” he said.
“First of all, our task is to continue to ensure a reliable, secure and affordable supply of energy to European consumers in the medium term,” she said. investing heavily in renewable energy sources “.
He said that by the end of May it would be proposed to phase out dependence on Russian gas, oil and coal by 2027, which would be backed by the necessary national and European resources, and by the end of March the Commission would present options to limit the growth of gas prices in electricity
Ms von der Leyen added that Vladimir Putin’s war “has fundamentally changed Europe’s security environment”.
“To defend Europe, we will need different forces and capabilities. And I welcome the significant additional defense investment in Europe that will be needed, and I welcome the fact that some leaders have announced ambitious steps to increase defense spending,” he said.
“I want to be very clear that we also need to coordinate closely with NATO. NATO is the strongest military alliance in the world. “Therefore, I welcome the fact that our leaders have told us to prepare an analysis of defense investment gaps and to make sure that we have a clear plan on how to address these gaps,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. .
The @EU_Commission set up a solidarity platform to coordinate support and reception.
We are using the flexibility of the EU budget to finance actions for refugees; housing, schooling, counseling.
This could free several billion euros in the coming years for these purposes pic.twitter.com/UicPGdz3qv
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 11, 2022
To defend Europe we will need different forces and capabilities.
And significant additional defense investments.
We will undertake a mapping of the investment gaps by mid-May. pic.twitter.com/3tCIIzYfzI
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 11, 2022
Macron: We will be there to help Ukraine stand up
French President Emmanuel Macron, in turn, said the European Union’s main goal was “a speedy return to peace, starting with a ceasefire followed by the rapid withdrawal of Russian troops.”
The French leader said that was the reason why the bloc continued to put pressure on Russia and also maintained a very demanding dialogue, especially in conjunction with the German chancellor.
“We support Ukraine today and we will do so for the duration of the war. And we will be there to rebuild this catastrophe brought about by Russia. “We will be there to help her stand up and stay upright,” he said.
He said the EU had proposed a European facility of around 500m euros in additional aid to Ukraine.
“The message we initially sent to the Ukrainian people is that the road to our Europe is open to them. “Their struggle for freedom and democracy, for the values ​​we all share, has shown that Ukraine is indeed a member of our European family.”
Echoing Ursula von der Leyen’s remarks, Mr Macron said Europe wanted to be able to choose its supply partners but not be dependent on anyone.
Skai.gr, Sky News, Reuters,
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