Banking sector and oil embargo
According to von der Leyen, the EU commission is “developing smart mechanisms so that oil can be included in the next sanctions package.” The main purpose of the new restrictions is to “reduce the income” of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We continue to look at the banking sector, especially Sberbank, which accounts for 37 percent of the Russian banking sector. And of course we talk about energy issues,” von der Leyen said in an interview with Bild am Sonntag about the sixth package of sanctions.
He also defended the German government, which some European politicians accuse of slowing the process of passing restrictions against Russia.
“Germany approved all five sanctions packages proposed by us (European Commission – socialbites.ca) within 48 hours. Never before has the EU acted with as much unity, determination and energy as it does now. Germany did its part in that,” von der Leyen said.
According to the President of the European Commission, restrictions on Moscow have already gained momentum.
“The sanctions are deepening the Russian economy every week,” he said.
According to von der Leyen, exports to Russia have fallen by 70% and Russia’s GDP will fall by 11%.
“Russia’s state bankruptcy is only a matter of time. “With this war, Putin is destroying his country and the future of his people,” said the President of the European Commission.
How notes Leading EU politicians Zeit Online have already shown their willingness to ban oil imports from Russia.
“I think action on oil and even gas will be needed sooner or later,” European Council President Charles Michel said after the fifth round of sanctions at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. said.
In contrast, German politician Anton Hofreiter insists on tightening sanctions in the energy sector.
“The oil embargo must be implemented quickly to deprive Russia of important revenues,” he told Welt am Sonntag.
Armament of Ukraine
European Commission President von der Leyen also urged EU countries to immediately hand over weapons to Ukraine.
“I do not distinguish between heavy and light weapons. “Ukraine needs to get what it needs and can handle for defense,” Von der Leyen said.
He noted that every effort should be made to resolve the situation in Ukraine as soon as possible.
“We must do everything possible so that it (conflict – socialbites.ca) ends as soon as possible,” von der Leyen said.
According to him, hostilities can continue for a long time – “months, even years.”
As Zeit Online noted, German Foreign Minister Annalen Berbock made statements a week ago to support the supply of heavy weapons to Ukraine. On the sidelines of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg, where a possible oil embargo was also discussed, he said Ukraine needed “more military supplies, especially heavy weapons”.
fifth pack
On 8 April, the fifth package of EU sanctions against Russia entered into force.
In total, 217 people and 18 organizations fell under the restrictions. Those on the list were banned from traveling to the EU and their presence in the EU was frozen. Personal sanctions were imposed on “oligarchs, Russian propaganda figures, members of the security forces and the military” and family members of those already sanctioned.
In addition, the EU froze the assets of VTB, Novikombank, Sovcombank, Otkritie Bank and 14 industrial and transport companies.
The European Union also closed the entry of Russian ships to its ports and announced its intention to abandon Russian coal from August 2022. In addition, imports of wood, cement, fertilizers, seafood and alcoholic beverages from Russia were banned.
In the energy sector, a ban was imposed on the import of jet fuel, quantum computers, semiconductors and other high-tech electronics into Russia.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.