Le Drian, Blinken call for strengthening sanctions against Russia

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken have said in a phone call that it is necessary to strengthen sanctions against Russia as it continues its offensive in Ukraine.

That's according to the website of the French Foreign Ministry, Ukrinform reports.

According to the statement, both ministers discussed the dramatic humanitarian situation in Ukraine caused by the military invasion of this country by Russia and by the indiscriminate targeting by Russian forces of Ukrainian urban centers. They underlined the urgency and the priority to establish a complete ceasefire on the whole Ukrainian territory.

Le Drian and Blinken agreed on the importance of very close coordination on the issue of food security, in the context of supply restrictions caused by the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

The two ministers also reiterated their support for the IAEA's proposals to strengthen the security and safety of Ukrainian civil nuclear installations.

Le Drian also spoke of the urgency of finalizing discussions on the Vienna agreement on the Iranian nuclear issue without delay.

The two ministers discussed the preparation of the meetings this Thursday in Brussels of the Heads of State and Government of NATO and the G7, as well as the participation of the President of the United States in the European Council, which will mark transatlantic unity and close coordination between NATO and the European Union.