Energy, finance, transport, trade target new EU sanctions package in Russia

The European Union’s second package of sanctions against Russia is set to be announced tonight, following a summit of European leaders, according to a senior EU official quoted by Reuters.

EU leaders will discuss in a few hours the new sanctions against Moscow following the generalized Russian invasion of Ukraine, which will affect, among other things, trade, energy, financial services and transport.

“You can expect a lot in terms of export bans, the financial sector, transport, energy … nothing is exempt,” a senior European official told Reuters.

Earlier, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced sanctions that would have a serious impact on Russia, stressing “that the world can see that unity is our strength”.

In particular, in joint statements with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and European Council President Charles Michel at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, the President of the Commission stressed that the Russian economy has already faced intense pressure and that pressures will intensify.

In this context, the forthcoming second EU sanctions package “will stifle Russia’s economic growth, increase its inflation, intensify capital outflows and gradually erode its industrial base,” he said.

Among other things, the EU measures will be aimed at weakening Russia’s technological capabilities in key areas, from which – according to the head of the Commission – the Russian elite earns most of its money.

As he explained, this will include everything from high-tech hardware to cutting-edge software.

In addition, he stressed that “it is President Putin who should explain this to his citizens. I know that the Russian people do not want this war.”

Finally, Ursula von der Leyen pointed out that “the European Union and NATO have worked closely together and this crisis will bring us even closer. It is our common duty to resist the most serious offensive on European soil in decades. Our unity is our best strength “.

Source: Capital

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