EU states urged to hurry
Von der Leyen is pushing for a speedy delivery of arms
04/17/2022, 00:57
The EU is preparing a sixth package of sanctions against Russia. According to Commission President von der Leyen, it should also include mechanisms that disrupt the Kremlin’s oil exports. She also appeals to the member states to send heavy and light war equipment to Ukraine.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has appealed to EU countries to quickly deliver arms to Ukraine. “For all member states, those who can should deliver quickly, because only then can Ukraine survive in its acute defensive struggle against Russia,” said von der Leyen of “Bild am Sonntag”. “I don’t differentiate between heavy and light weapons. Ukraine must be given what it needs to defend and what it can handle.”
The EU Commission President prepared the citizens of Europe for a long military conflict: “We have to do everything to ensure that it ends as quickly as possible. And at the same time we have to prepare for the fact that the war can last for months or even years in the worst case. ”
On the key points of a sixth EU sanctions package against Russia, which is currently being prepared, she said: “We continue to look at the banking sector, especially Sberbank, which alone accounts for 37 percent of the Russian banking sector. And of course it’s about energy issues.”
Von der Leyen defends Germany
The primary goal is to shrink Putin’s income. “But oil is traded globally. What shouldn’t happen is that Putin charges even higher prices on other markets for deliveries that would otherwise go to the EU. That’s why we’re currently developing clever mechanisms so that oil can also be included in the next sanctions step. ”
Von der Leyen defended the German government against allegations that it was slowing down sanctions. “Germany has been supporting Ukraine for many years and approved all five sanctions packages that we proposed within 48 hours. The EU has never acted as united, determined and energetic as it is now. Germany played its part in this,” she said.