The next sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia will be directed against the banking and oil sectors. This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an interview with the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, according to Reuters, citing BNR.
“We continue to look closely at the banking sector, especially Sberbank, which has 37% of the Russian market. Of course, there are energy issues,” said von der Leyen.
So far, the European Union has not included Russia’s largest bank among those sanctioned, as it, along with Gazprombank, is one of the main payment channels for Russian oil and natural gas that EU countries buy despite the conflict in Ukraine, according to Reuters.
Ursula von der Leyen added that Brussels was working on “reasonable mechanisms” so that oil could also be included in the next sanctions. “What should not happen is that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin gets even higher prices in other markets for supplies that would otherwise go to the European Union,” von der Leyen said, adding: “The top priority is to reduce Putin’s income.”
German media also cite von der Leyen’s interview and her call on EU countries to supply weapons to Ukraine quickly. “Only in this way will Ukraine be able to survive in the struggle for its protection from Russia,” said the President of the European Commission. According to her, the country should get what it needs for defense.