Macron promised to provide Kiev with assistance from France in the amount of €1.2 billion and military equipment
Photo: Olivier Hoslet / Reuters
French President Emmanuel Macron promised that the country would provide financial assistance in the amount of 1.2 billion euros and military equipment to Kiev. He announced this at a press conference in Brussels after an extraordinary EU summit on Ukraine. His words are quoted by RBC.
As Europeans, we have decided to provide economic assistance to Ukraine in the amount of €1.2 billion. This is unprecedented. We will continue to supply military equipment and support the population in this difficult matter.
Emmanuel MacronPresident of France
In addition, the French leader said that Paris intends to speed up the deployment of its military in Romania, as well as to provide assistance to refugees from Ukraine.
France, like other countries of the European Union, will assume its share of responsibility in helping the population of Ukraine, as well as those who left the Ukrainian land and are on the territory of the European Union
Emmanuel MacronPresident of France
Negotiations between Putin and Macron
A telephone conversation between Putin and Macron took place on the evening of February 24 at the initiative of the French side. The President of Russia, during a conversation with the head of France, explained the decision to conduct a military operation in the Donbass.
Vladimir Putin gave an exhaustive explanation of the reasons and circumstances for the decision to conduct a special military operation. Set to stay in touch.
Kremlin
Macron said he called Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the request of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky to convey a request for talks.
I had a quick, frank and direct exchange with President Putin at the request of President Zelensky. In order, firstly, to ask for an early cessation of hostilities, and, secondly, to offer to have a conversation with Zelensky, who asks for this, but was unable to contact him himself
Emmanuel MacronPresident of France
The politician noted that he also “delivered a message from France and a message from Zelensky” to the Russian president, but “so far this has not had an effect,” Macron added.
EU sanctions
During a press conference following an emergency EU summit, Macron said that France would impose its own sanctions against Russia following the European Union. According to the French leader, restrictions from Paris will affect a number of Russians and will be announced later.
Earlier, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, called on the European Union to impose “the most severe” sanctions against Russia. Metsola noted that the new sanctions should be “urgent and strict, no one should hide from them.”
I think that all measures should be considered. That is why I conveyed to [EU leaders] the position of the European Parliament on this issue. We in the European Parliament would like the strongest, most severe sanctions possible.
Roberta MetsolaPresident of the European Parliament (EP)
In turn, the head of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, said that EU sanctions would prevent Russia from processing and selling oil. According to her, EU sanctions will limit access to critical technologies, including semiconductors, as well as in the field of microchips. And new sanctions in the energy sector, she believes, will “make impossible” the modernization of Russian oil refineries.
In addition, the EU will impose a ban on the sale of all aircraft, spare parts and equipment to Russian airlines. They believe the European Union that this will lead to “degradation of the key sector of the Russian economy and the country's communication capabilities.”
Russian assets in Europe will also be frozen and Russian banks' access to the European financial market will be suspended.
These sanctions are meant to inflict heavy damage on the Kremlin's interests and its ability to finance the war.
Ursula von der Leyengelector of the European Commission
US sanctions
US President Joe Biden promised to introduce additional sanctions against Russia. He promised that new restrictions would cost the Russian economy dearly.
In particular, Biden announced his intention to impose sanctions against the Russian space program. According to him, the US will block more than half of high-tech imports to Russia, which will reduce the country's ability to compete economically.
This will deal a blow to their ability to continue to modernize the aircraft. This will harm their aerospace industry, including the space program.
Joe BidenPresident of the United States
In turn, the US Department of Commerce is tightening restrictions on the export of microelectronics, telecommunications equipment, avionics and aircraft parts. The agency is introducing new export control licensing requirements, including sensors, navigation equipment, marine equipment and aircraft components using US technology.
The US Treasury is also imposing sanctions on major Russian banks, including VTB, Sberbank, Alfa-Bank, MKB, Otkritie, Novikombank, and Sovcombank. In addition, sanctions on Russian public debt will be expanded.
According to Deputy National Security Adviser to the US President Duleep Singh, the new US sanctions are not aimed at cutting off the supply of Russian energy to world markets. They are designed to cause serious damage to the Russian economy at minimal cost to the US and its allies and partners.
Sanctions from other countries
The list of sanctions from the UK, according to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, included the refusal of Russian oil and gas, a ban on companies from Russia to trade in dollars and pounds and a ban on the export of high-tech products to Russia, including in the field of telecommunications and aerospace. The head of the British government also did not rule out Russia's disconnection from the SWIFT payment system, however, Johnson noted, it requires unity among the allies.
Canada imposed new sanctions against Russia and included 382 citizens of the Russian Federation, as well as against members of the State Duma who voted for the recognition of the sovereignty of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, members of the Russian Security Council, heads of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Justice and the Central Bank of Russia.
The new changes place restrictions on 31 people who are key members of President [Vladimir] Putin's inner circle, his loved ones and family members of some individuals already under Canadian sanctions, as well as 27 key financial institutions
Government of Canada
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the restrictions would include a ban on entry into New Zealand for “Russian officials and a number of other citizens” – they will not be able to obtain visas to enter or transit through New Zealand.
It also introduces a ban on the export of Russian goods to New Zealand. It will affect any enterprises, organizations and individuals associated with the Russian military departments and security agencies.
Japan is also imposing a visa ban on certain Russian citizens and freezing the assets of individuals and organizations. In addition, the country imposes sanctions on the export to Russia of goods that can be used for military purposes.
Exemption from sanctions
At the same time, the US Treasury Department reported that Washington made an exception to the sanctions for a number of supplies to Russia. It affected the supply of agricultural goods, medicines and medical equipment to and from the Russian Federation, as well as for services provided in connection with flights over Russia and emergency landings in Russia of American aircraft.
It is also noted that the new US sanctions are not aimed at stopping the supply of Russian energy resources to world markets.
