Von der Leyen, Senator Graham discuss sanctions against Russia

This was reported on the European Commission's website, according to Ukrinform.

“The President made the objective clear: we need a real ceasefire, we need Russia at the negotiating table, and we need to end this war. Pressure works, as the Kremlin understands nothing else. This is why the President welcomed that Senator Graham committed to ramping up pressure on Russia and moving ahead with the bill in Senate next week,” the EC statement said.

The EU is preparing its 18th package of tough sanctions targeting Russia’s energy revenues, including measures against Nord Stream infrastructure, Russia’s banking sector, and a further reduction of the crude oil price cap.

“These steps, taken together with US measures, would sharply increase the joint impact of our sanctions,” von der Leyen emphasized.

The statement also notes that, together with actions against Russia’s “shadow fleet” aimed at limiting Russia’s ability to transport its oil, these measures are an effective way to dry up the financial resources Moscow needs to wage the war.

Von der Leyen and Graham also discussed the issue of 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and possible further pressure on Moscow.

Regarding the ongoing transatlantic tariff dispute, both sides agreed that the best outcome would be to reach a negotiated solution before the end of the 90 days.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on May 20, EU foreign ministers approved the 17th sanctions package targeting nearly 200 vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet.

Senator Lindsey Graham stated that the U.S. Senate plans to consider a new package of sanctions against Russia ahead of the G7 summit, which is to take place on June 15–17 in Canada.

Photo: @vonderleyen