Europeans freeze Putin-Lavrov assets

LAST UPDATE: 21:10

The EU has decided to include Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the second round of sanctions, EU High Representative Josep Borrell said in a press conference after the Foreign Ministry convened.

Asked about the assets of Putin and Lavrov, the High Representative said it was not his job to know. He also stressed that the target is not the people of Russia and that “Putin is not the Russian people.” Finally, the High Representative pointed out that the restrictive measures taken would affect 70% of Russia’s banking system.

The decision to freeze the assets of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had been announced to the French Agency (AFP) by European diplomatic sources.

The measure was discussed at yesterday’s special summit in Brussels and today was added to the package of sanctions that will be ratified by the foreign ministers, the same sources stressed.

Germany and Italy today expressed reservations at the summit about the proposal, which was backed by a large number of European leaders, the two diplomatic sources said.

Europeans have also decided to lift visa-free travel within the European Union for holders of Russian official passports as part of a package of sanctions decided last night.

“Yesterday the European Council discussed it and since there was no unanimity on it, they charged me and the Council to seek a solution. We are working hard on this and I hope we will reach an agreement if there are no surprises, if no one objects, if there is unanimity, then of course yes “. When asked if he was in favor of it, he replied: “I am personally in favor, but the important thing is not me, but the council of ministers.”