EU fines against Russia: Coal – and probably soon also oil and gas

The EU is putting together a new package of sanctions against Russia: an import ban on hard coal, wood and vodka, among other things. And although the vote on it is still pending, the next embargo is already being discussed in Brussels.

The West is increasing the pressure on Russia. Just yesterday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed an import ban on coal from Russia as the next step. The EU states are now discussing further punitive measures. EU Council President Charles Michel said in the Strasbourg EU Parliament: “I believe that action on oil and even on gas will be necessary sooner or later.”

The ambassadors of the 27 EU countries discussed the new sanctions package for the first time, which, in addition to the coal import ban, also includes import bans on wood and vodka from Russia. The federal government had previously signaled its approval of gradually including the energy sector. A unanimous decision by the EU states is required.

It was “high time” to take this step in a fifth package of sanctions, said von der Leyen. “But now we have to look at oil,” she added. The Vice-President of the European Parliament, Katarina Barley, showed up in the joint morning magazine ARD and ZDF sure that the import stop for coal will come. An embargo on oil will follow “relatively quickly,” she agrees.

An import ban on oil and gas is being hotly debated among EU member states. Some European countries that are particularly dependent on natural gas from Russia – including Germany and Austria – have so far rejected gas sanctions against Russia.

War atrocities near Kyiv

The background is the discovery of possible war crimes after the withdrawal of Russian troops from the area around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Above all, the images of corpses on the streets of the suburb of Bucha caused international horror. Ukraine blames Russian troops for the atrocities. Moscow denies the allegations and speaks of a staging, but without proof or evidence.

“They call it liberation. No. We call it a war crime,” said von der Leyen, referring to Russia and emphasizing that Europe is firmly on Ukraine’s side.

Michel said everything must be done to end the atrocities. The sanctions are being tightened in order to exert the greatest possible pressure on Russia. At the same time, he made it clear that they were prepared to bear their own costs of the sanctions.

USA: Help for Ukraine – penalties against Russia

The United States is also preparing further punitive measures against Russia. New investments in the country are to be banned, sanctions against Russian banks and state-owned companies are to be tightened and other people from the Russian leadership are to be subject to punitive measures. The government announced that this would be closely coordinated with partners in Europe and the other countries of the G7 group.

Further arms deliveries to Ukraine are also under discussion. Because President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is always impatiently demanding support against the Russian attackers. Meanwhile, the US granted Ukraine a further $100 million (€91.3 million) for arms, Foreign Minister Antony Blinken said. Since the beginning of last year, US aid to Kyiv has already totaled $2.4 billion. NATO is also advising today on how to provide Ukraine with even more military support.