NATO summit: New sanctions against Russia – Selenskyj asks for mercy in one case
Created: 03/24/2022, 10:29 am
By: Christian Stör
The Ukrainian President fears that sanctions could jeopardize the negotiations.
Today, NATO, the EU and the G7 are discussing how to proceed.
Four weeks after Russian troops invaded, a peaceful solution to the Ukraine conflict* still seems a long way off.
NATO*, EU* and G7 in Brussels are dealing with the Ukraine war* today.
The summits are about support for Ukraine* and new sanctions against Russia*.
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyj* is intervening with Joe Biden* and asking that sanctions be waived in one case.
That could facilitate negotiations with Vladimir Putin*.
Brussels/Kyiv – The Ukraine war is now in its fifth week.
How it will continue is currently still completely open.
In any case, the West wants to discuss further aid for Ukraine and new sanctions against Russia at three summits in Brussels today.
The sanctions are to be tightened in a way that will make it more difficult for Russia to circumvent the existing measures.
Above all, the NATO summit, the top meeting of the European Union and the leading democratic economic powers (G7), should send a strong signal of unity to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
NATO summit in Brussels: Stoltenberg rules out military intervention
"We are the strongest alliance in the world," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the NATO summit.
"As long as we stand together, we're safe." At the same time, Stoltenberg made it clear that NATO, despite its military superiority, rules out military intervention in the Ukraine war.
"We are doing this because we have a responsibility to ensure that this conflict does not escalate beyond Ukraine," he said.
War in Ukraine: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomes Joe Biden in Brussels.
© Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP
Even enforcing the no-fly zone over Ukraine, which Ukraine has repeatedly demanded, is therefore too dangerous.
"In order to impose a no-fly zone, we must massively attack Russian air defense systems in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, and also be ready to shoot down Russian planes," he said.
"And then the threat of full-scale war between NATO and Russia will be very great, and that will result in more death and more destruction."
Before the NATO summit: Selenskyj asks for leniency with sanctions against Russia
Meanwhile, Volodymyr surprised Zelenskyy with an unexpected request.
The Ukrainian President called on US President Joe Biden not to sanction one of the most well-known Russian oligarchs for the time being.
This refers to Roman Abramovich, who gained international fame primarily as the owner of Chelsea FC.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, the US Treasury Department was ready to sanction Abramovich in early March, but was then told by the White House to wait.
But why is Zelenskyy intervening here on behalf of a Russian oligarch?
Apparently he thinks that Abramovich, who has a close relationship with Vladimir Putin, could be helpful in the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
However, it is not yet known whether Abramovich has actually spoken to Putin or conducted any negotiations between Russia and Ukraine since the start of the Ukraine war.
US officials told The Wall Street Journal there was no reason to believe the oligarch had been helpful in talks between Ukraine and Russia to end the invasion.
NATO summit in Brussels: New sanctions against Russia?
It is rather questionable whether Abramovich will also be an issue at today's NATO summit.
However, Joe Biden also traveled to Brussels to take part.
In addition to possible arms deliveries to Ukraine and sanctions against Russia, there should also be talks about how NATO can improve its deterrence against Russia in the long term.
(cs)
