The EU is Discussing New Sanctions Against Moscow with London and Washington

According to Josep Borrel, the European Union is “in a Moscow deterring mode”. London, Brussels and Washington are discussing the possibility of introducing new sanctions against the Russian Federation “in a coordinated manner”. The European Union is discussing with the United States and the United Kingdom the possibility of imposing new sanctions against Russia’s Moscow, although no decisions on this matter will be made until the end of the day on Monday, December 13. This was stated by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel. He arrived for a meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels. According to Borrel, the European Union is “in a Moscow deterring mode”. “In any case, we intend to send a strong signal to Russia that any aggression against Ukraine will come at a high price,” the head of European diplomacy warned. He noted that London, Brussels and Washington are jointly and “in a coordinated manner” studying what restrictive measures will be discussed, as well as when and how they can be introduced. From targeted measures to a ban on banking transactions with the Russian Federation Meanwhile, sources in diplomatic circles told Reuters that the discussion is focused on the gradual strengthening of punitive measures, starting with the next bans on entry into the EU and the freezing of assets of certain Russia’s political elite members and ending with a ban on any financial and banking transactions with the Russian Federation. Josep Borrel added that Russia’s military buildup at the borders of Ukraine will be one of the main topics of the ministerial meeting in Brussels. The discussion will be a continuation of the dialogue at the G7 meeting, “where we declared our intention to firmly support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Borrel said. Biden threatened Putin with consequences During a video session on December 7, US President Joseph Biden threatened Russian leader Vladimir Putin with “tough sanctions, including economic ones” in the event of a military escalation of the conflict with Ukraine. Biden expressed the “strong concern” of both the US administration and US allies caused by the tightening of Russian troops to the border with Ukraine. Later, Vladimir Putin also commented on the summit with Biden. At a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Moscow, Kommersant newspaper correspondent Andrei Kolesnikov asked the head of the Kremlin about a possible Russian attack on Ukraine. Putin called this question “provocative” and declined to respond. “Russia pursues a peaceful foreign policy, but it has the right to ensure its security in the medium and long term,” he said. DW