New sanctions against Russia and military aid to Ukraine, EU-US decided

The United States and the European Union today agreed that it is necessary to intensify pressure on the Kremlin, mainly through the adoption of new sanctions, but also to further isolate Russia, during a teleconference convened by US President Joe Biden, with the participation of many leaders. allied countries.

“We will further tighten our sanctions against Russia and step up financial and security assistance to Ukraine. Thank you, US President, for convening this important communication. We are on Ukraine’s side,” she said in a statement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tweeted, confirming a statement issued by the Italian government a little earlier.

The conference was also attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Olaf Solz, the presidents of Romania and Poland, and the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Japan.

Also present were NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, European Council President Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen.

In his statement, Stoltenberg also confirmed that the participants agreed that it was important “for Moscow to pay a heavy price” for its invasion of Ukraine.

Moreover, according to the Italian government, the “common commitment” to diversify energy sources was “reaffirmed”, by reducing the countries’ dependence on Russian hydrocarbons.

According to the French presidency, the Western allies decided to “strengthen their support for Ukraine” in the face of Russian aggression, mainly by adopting “new sanctions against Russia if it persists in the war.” They also agreed that “it is necessary to convince our partners, of those countries that are not members of the G7 and the EU, that this crisis threatens international peace and security and is not just a regional crisis that concerns only the West.” , Elize explained, referring indirectly to China.

An adviser to the French presidency said the allies discussed how they could provide security guarantees to Ukraine after the war if the country was not a member of NATO and therefore could not resort to the Pact’s common defense mechanism, the so-called “Article 5”. “Our country is ready to provide security guarantees. It could be military equipment, so that (Ukraine) can face a new attack” or, possibly, guarantees similar to the European Union mutual defense clause.

During the teleconference, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told participants that Tokyo intends to triple its $ 300 million loan to Ukraine. Earlier, the Japanese government announced that it would send to Ukraine protective masks and uniforms of dangerous materials, which could be used if chemical weapons are used, as well as unmanned patrol aircraft.

German Chancellor Olaf Soltz told a news conference after the conference that Russian President Vladimir Putin was responsible for “war crimes” in Ukraine and that “the Russian invasion is a clear violation of international law.” He added that Berlin was discussing with the defense industry what kind of weapons it could send to the Ukrainian army “to repel the Russian attack”, such as anti-tank weapons. Asked if Germany could send state-of-the-art Leopard tanks to Ukraine, Solz said Berlin and Western countries had concluded that it made more sense to deliver weapons known to the Ukrainians.

The United States, for its part, will send more artillery systems to Ukraine, US President Joe Biden told reporters. It is recalled that Britain will also send more artillery systems to Ukraine, as announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who also revealed that he is considering sending a Brimstone missile.

Source: AMPE