Status: 05/04/2022 10:32 a.m
The President of the Commission presented the EU’s sixth package of sanctions against Russia. The most important point is an oil import ban. However, it will not be “easy”, said von der Leyen. There should also be sanctions against banks and TV stations.
In its sixth package of sanctions against Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine, the EU Commission has proposed a comprehensive oil embargo, which the member states still have to agree to.
EU Commission President von der Leyen confirms oil embargo against Russia
tagesschau24 9:05 a.m., 4.5.2022
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the presentation of the measures in the European Parliament that all imports of Russian crude oil should be stopped with a transitional period of six months. By the end of the year, the embargo should also affect all refined oil products. It includes all imports by sea and pipeline. Several news agencies had previously reported on the corresponding draft.
Sanctions against banks, broadcasters and soldiers
Von der Leyen also announced that he wanted to exclude the Russian Sberbank and other institutions in the country from the Swift payment system. The EU wants to deprive the Russian economy of the opportunity to diversify and modernize.
In order to counteract Russian propaganda, after RT and Sputnik, three other state broadcasters in the country are to have their broadcasting license revoked in the EU. Finally, according to the head of the commission, there should also be personal sanctions against members of the Russian military who are responsible for the atrocities against the civilian population, for example in Bucha. “We know who they are and they will be held accountable,” von der Leyen said.
Janis Kluge, Russia expert at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, on the impact of the sanctions imposed on Russia
daily topics 10:15 p.m., May 3, 2022
Reconstruction fund planned
“We want Ukraine to win this war,” von der Leyen said. This also requires financial help. The country currently needs five billion euros a month to be able to maintain the state. According to estimates, several hundred billion euros are required for the reconstruction of the country. Here, too, the European Union bears a special responsibility. Von der Leyen did not say how much money should come from the EU.
At the end of this path could be Ukraine’s membership of the EU, said von der Leyen to the applause of the MPs.
Von der Leyen: “It won’t be easy”
The 27 EU countries must unanimously agree to the Commission’s sanctions proposals before they can come into force. However, Hungary in particular had already expressed reservations in advance. Several news agencies had previously reported that there should be exceptions for some countries. Von der Leyen also admitted that the planned embargo will require great efforts from some countries. “Let’s not kid ourselves: it won’t be easy,” she said. “Some member states are heavily dependent on Russian oil.”