Rutte: The package of tough EU sanctions against Russia is ready if it moves aggressively

The package of sanctions against Russia in case of invasion is ready, as the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte stated in his twitter post.

“Ahead of the EU-Africa summit, the European Council met to discuss the situation in Ukraine. The solution lies in de-escalation and diplomacy. The EU and NATO have a package of tough sanctions ready if Russia goes further. aggressiveness”.

The European Union (EU) is ready to impose a tough sanctions package as soon as possible as Russian troops approach Ukraine, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said earlier on Thursday.

“We have already prepared a full package of sanctions (…) We have prepared a very tough package and I am ready to present this package as soon as it is needed,” Borrell told reporters as he arrived at the EU-Africa summit. .

Earlier, the informal meeting of EU leaders on the Russia-Ukraine issue was completed.

For his part, European Council President Charles Michel, in a post, referred to the EU and NATO unity, expressing support for Ukraine. “Stable and determined in defending our values,” he noted.

Diplomacy has not yet said its last word, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said this morning, referring to the Russia-Ukraine crisis in statements she made to Czech Prime Minister Peter Fiala.

“This is good,” he added. “There is still hope that peace will prevail,” he said, referring to the efforts of many European leaders to find a diplomatic solution.

As for Russia’s allegations of troop withdrawals, the commissioner said: “We have not seen any signs of de-escalation on the ground so far. On the contrary, we see that the concentration of forces is continuing. We will not reduce our vigilance, we will remain vigilant and united. ”

“We hope for the best, but we are also ready for the worst,” he concluded.

Source: Capital

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