Josep Borrell before the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg stressed that in the coming days, Russia is expected to intensify hostilities and attack Donbass. The head of EU diplomacy did not rule out the imposition of additional sanctions against Russia in the near future. In addition, Borrell called on member countries to speed up the supply of weapons that Ukraine needs.
The ministerial meeting in Luxembourg was preceded by Sunday’s meeting of representatives of member states – ambassadors and experts, at which, according to diplomats, Josep Borrell stressed that the weapons that Ukraine needs should be delivered in the coming days, not weeks.
This issue will be discussed today by EU ministers. Among other things, a green light is expected to increase the fund for the purchase and supply of weapons to Ukraine from 1 billion euros to 1.5 billion euros.
“Sanctions are always on the table”
Poland, the Baltic States and Scandinavia are calling for an embargo on oil imports from Russia. The head of EU diplomacy was asked about this possibility. – Sanctions are always on the table. We’ll talk about the next steps. I think that sooner or later – I hope soon – such a decision will be made, – said Josep Borrell.
The 27-year-old has just begun imposing sanctions on the energy sector. Last week, member countries agreed to ban coal imports from Russia, but with a delay of 4 months, that is, from August.
On April 7, the Seimas adopted the so-called. sanctions law, which will allow freezing the property of persons and organizations supporting Russia. 445 deputies voted for the bill, no one was against it. Eleven deputies, all from the Confederate circle, abstained from voting. The law on special decisions in the field of countering support for aggression against Ukraine and ensuring national security provides, in particular, for the imposition of an embargo on coal imports from Russia.
As the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on April 10 in a summary of the operational situation, “Russian troops are trying to complete preparations for an offensive aimed at conquering the eastern part of Ukraine.”