I welcome the political agreement reached today between the EU countries on the imposition of new sanctions against Russia, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, BTA reports.
In a statement, she said the EU remained ready to impose additional sanctions if necessary. According to her, the process of approving new sanctions proposed by the European Commission will be completed in the near future.
We will make it as difficult as possible for the Kremlin to continue its aggressive actions, she said. Von der Layen supported Germany’s decision to suspend the Nord Stream pipeline expansion project.
The EU is too dependent on Russian gas, we need to diversify supplies, focus on renewable energy, she said. Von der Layen called Russia’s recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine absolutely unacceptable. She stressed that Russia violates the basic principles of international law.
The EC President added that the EU is united and acts quickly. Earlier today, EC Vice President Maros Shefcovic announced that EU ambassadors to Brussels are expected to take the first step in imposing new sanctions tonight after the talks were discussed in the afternoon at an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Paris.