War in Ukraine: Another package of sanctions against Russia
"We must support Ukraine more than ever," said EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The 16th European sanctions package includes an import ban on Russian aluminum and new measures against the so-called shadow fleet, which Moscow uses to circumvent the Western oil embargo. The export of game consoles, which can also be used for military purposes, is also banned.
Kallas also announced new initiatives to arm Ukraine. There is talk of at least 1.5 million rounds of ammunition as well as additional air defense systems, missiles and drones. Various figures are circulating in Brussels regarding the financial requirements, ranging from six to 30 billion euros. Kallas said she expects a decision to be made by the beginning of March.
EU Council President António Costa had previously called a special summit on March 6. The meeting will also focus on Ukraine and European defence. A first crisis summit in February ended without any results.
In the meantime, however, the situation has changed fundamentally. The USA has turned its Ukraine policy around by 180 degrees and has entered into negotiations with Russia on a possible peace solution . The EU was not involved in this; the Europeans have not yet put forward any proposals of their own. "No deal can work without us," Kallas said, brushing off the contentious issue.
The EU does not believe in a quick ceasefire. "Peace through strength" is the motto in Brussels. "With our European support, Ukraine can fight alone for the rest of the year," Poland's Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski told US broadcaster CNN. Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin must take this into account.
In the late afternoon, the foreign ministers planned to meet with their Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar. At a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council in Brussels, the bilateral relations were to be normalized and expanded.
taz
