In a meeting with US Senator Lindsey Graham in Berlin, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the EU-US coordination on sanctions against Russia, with a focus on ending the war in Ukraine. The Commission chief emphasized the need for a genuine ceasefire and negotiations with Russia, stating that pressure is essential, as the Kremlin only understands it in this form. Von der Leyen welcomed Graham’s commitment to increasing pressure on Russia and bringing a bill to the Senate next week.
The European Union is currently preparing its 18th package of sanctions, targeting Russia’s energy income, including the Nord Stream infrastructure, the Russian banking sector and the cap on oil prices. Von der Leyen believes that these steps, combined with US measures, will significantly enhance the impact of the sanctions.