The head of European diplomacy Borrell promised Russia the toughest package of sanctions over Ukraine
Photo: Kenzo Tribouillard / Reuters
The European Union (EU) will introduce the most severe sanctions against Russia for conducting a military operation in Ukraine. It is reported by Reuters with reference to the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell.
“The European Union will respond in the strongest possible way… [EU leaders] will adopt a stricter package, the toughest package of sanctions that we have ever applied,” the diplomat promised.
Earlier, EU leaders agreed to discuss new sanctions against Russia after the start of a special military operation in the Donbass. It is noted that actions against Russia will be taken in coordination with transatlantic partners.
Earlier, the EU imposed sanctions against Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, editor-in-chief of the Russian state-owned English-language TV channel Russia Today and Rossiya Segodnya MIA Margarita Simonyan, and TV presenter Vladimir Solovyov. It is alleged that Zakharova “contributed to the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine.” Simonyan “contributed to a positive attitude” regarding the actions of the DPR and LPR, while Solovyov was accused of “extremely hostile attitude towards Ukraine.”
Sanctions also fell on 351 State Duma deputies who voted in support of an appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to recognize the republics.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had decided to conduct a special military operation to protect Donbass. He announced this during an address to fellow citizens. Putin also turned to outside forces that might try to pose a threat to Russia. According to him, Russia's response will be immediate.
