The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia for exposing the killings of civilians in Ukraine, said European Council President Charles Michel. This was confirmed by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell.
EU Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said Europe is more prepared than ever to impose the toughest sanctions.
Calls for new sanctions came from many European capitals today.
French President Emmanuel Macron has said more sanctions are needed following Russia’s accusations of killing civilians in the city of Bucha near Kyiv.
Moscow categorically denied the allegations.
Speaking to France Enter, Macron said there were clear indications that Russian troops were guilty of war crimes in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Eduard Heger said Slovakia would act in unison with the European Union on Russia’s request for rubles for its natural gas.
“In this situation, unity is key,” he wrote on Facebook, dispelling doubts expressed by Economics Minister Richard Sulik, who said that if necessary, Bratislava would accept Russia’s terms because it could not afford to do without Russian gas.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki also called for new sanctions against Russia. He accused Germany of preventing really tough measures.
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner was adamant ahead of a meeting with his eurozone counterparts today that a phase-out of Russian gas could not happen overnight.
Lindner has signaled that instead of a possible general ban on energy imports from Russia, he will support separate consideration of restrictions on oil, gas and coal – because finding alternative sources will be of varying difficulty.
Economy Minister Robert Habek of the Greens opposes an immediate ban on Russian fossil fuels.