Russia sanctions: EU boss von der Leyen announces tightening

Created: 04/19/2022, 21:13

Ursula von der Leyen (M), President of the European Commission, visits a mass grave in Butscha.

© Efrem Lukatsky/dpa

In connection with the Ukraine war, the West will apparently further tighten its sanctions against Russia.

Brussels - The United States and the European Union have in connection with the Ukraine conflict * announced their willingness to further sanctions against Russia.

The Italian government said on Tuesday evening that the western allies had reached "a broad consensus" on the need to increase the pressure on Russia through new sanctions.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Twitter: "We will continue to tighten our sanctions against Russia."

Ukraine war and Russia sanctions: "Measures hit Putin hard"

The statements followed a video conference of the heads of state and government of the G7 and their Eastern European NATO partners.

After the virtual meeting, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) emphasized the effectiveness of the sanctions that had already been imposed.

"Our actions hit Russia and Putin hard," he said.

"The sanctions are having a very, very clear effect." The next steps would be prepared "in close coordination" with the western partners.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the allies agreed that Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin must end the war immediately and that Russia would be faced with "even higher costs" until he does so.

According to France, the West is determined to increase its support for Ukraine and impose new sanctions if Moscow continues the war.

US President Joe Biden's spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the video conference discussed ways to continue imposing "heavy economic costs" on Russia.