Von der Leyen: ‘Russia’s bankruptcy is only a matter of time’

The view that Russia’s bankruptcy is a “matter of time” is expressed by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen in an interview with Bild.

Ursula von der Leyen was the first top Western politician to travel to Butscha, the report said. In the suburbs of Kiev, the president of the EU Commission saw how brutally Putin’s soldiers went there, he adds.

Asked if she was in favor of heavy arms supplies to Ukraine, von der Leyen said: “It does not distinguish between heavy and light weapons. Ukraine needs to get what it needs for defense and what it can manage. The EU provides “€ 1.5 billion for this purpose. Many Member States are providing extra.”

Asked if “Germany is leaving Ukraine to its fate”, the President of the Commission stressed that “the rule for all Member States is that whoever can should surrender quickly, because only then can Ukraine keep its position on the acid its defensive struggle against Russia “.

Asked whether sanctions against Russia were “loose”, she said no, explaining that “sanctions are having a deeper impact on the Russian economy week by week: exports to Russia have fallen by 70%. 700 Russian aircraft Hundreds of large companies and thousands of experts are turning their backs on the country, according to current forecasts, Russia’s gross domestic product will fall by 11%. “Putin is also destroying his own country and the future of its people with this war.”

Regarding the possibility of a sixth package of sanctions, the head of the Commission noted that “we continue to consider the banking sector, especially Sberbank, which alone represents 37% of the Russian banking sector. And of course these are energy issues.”

According to Bild, every day, EU states pay Russia 450 million euros for oil deliveries alone, and the question was raised as to how long this is supposed to continue.

In response, Von der Leyen said: “The ultimate goal is to reduce Putin’s income. But oil is a global trade. What should not happen is that Putin will charge even higher prices in other markets for deliveries that would otherwise “That’s why we are developing smart mechanisms so that oil can also be included in the next step of sanctions.”

“Germany has been supporting Ukraine for many years and agreed on all five sanctions packages we proposed within 48 hours. Never before has the EU acted as united, determined and active as now. Germany has played its part in this,” he said. the same.

Asked whether Ukraine would win the war, Von der Leyen replied: “Ukraine can win the war. Ukraine’s bravery and resilience are impressive.”

“Victory means that peace will prevail in Ukraine again. On what terms, Ukraine decides for itself,” she said.

Commenting on the stance of Ukrainian President Selenskyj, he did not want to welcome Federal President Steinmeier to Kyiv, saying “I do not know who invited or did not invite. All I know is that President Selenskyj is leading his country in this war with impressive way “.

She said it was “not her job” to advise Soltz to go to Kyiv or not. “It meant a lot to me to see Butsha, to meet President Selenskyj again in person. For me, the trip was very important,” he said.

The head of the Commission stressed that “she is firmly convinced that the perpetrators will be punished by an international tribunal for their atrocities. We have set up an investigation team with Ukraine to cooperate with the international tribunal. There is massive evidence of crimes committed by Russian soldiers.” But not only the perpetrators but also those responsible for this war, which is costing the lives of thousands of civilians, must be brought to justice. threads “.

“We have to do everything we can to end it as soon as possible. And at the same time we have to prepare for the fact that the war can, at worst, last for months, even years,” she said.