The EU takes measures after Vladimir Putin refused to come to Turkey's discussions. Merz Chancellor's announcement
The European Union will adopt a new package of sanctions against Russia on May 20, as a reaction to the refusal of Russian President Vladimir Putin to participate in face -to -face discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodimir Zelenski, announced German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The EU will adopt the new sanctions on May 20, announced Merz photo archive
“The fact that President Zelenski still traveled to Istanbul is a significant gesture of goodwill. Putin did not show up-and through this gesture, he put himself in the wrong position.”Merz wrote on the X platform.
“A new pack of sanctions is prepared. We will adopt it on Tuesday, in Brussels”the German leader added.
The EU ambassadors agreed on May 14 on the 17th pack of sanctions against Russia, which mainly target the ghost oil fleet used to bypass the restrictions.
According to a high-ranking European official, quoted under anonymity by Kyiv Independent, the measures concern almost 200 ships from the Russian ghost fleet, 30 companies involved in avoiding sanctions and 75 entities and natural persons related to the Russian military-industrial complex.
Merz also stated that Russian assets could be confiscated if there is a legal framework to allow this. “At present, this issue is clarified,” he said.
“If we find a solid legal basis to mobilize these funds, we will do it. However, we must be aware of the risks that such a step implies for the European financial market.”added the chancellor.
The EU and the countries of the seven (G7) group are currently holding about $ 300 billion in frozen Russian assets. Most of the funds – about 198 billion from the reserves of the central bank of Russia – is blocked in Belgium.
“We discuss new sanctions in the energy sector, in the banking sector, as well as new measures related to assets and sanctions against some people”added Merz.
European leaders have so far been reluctant to confiscate Russia's frozen assets, for fear that such a measure could undermine the EURO and EU banking system.
Direct peace discussions between Ukraine and Russia, which were scheduled to start on May 15, are now expected to debut on May 16, according to Russian officials.
Moscow has announced that his delegation will be led by the presidential counselor and the architect of propaganda, Vladimir Medinski.
Putin itself will not participate in negotiations, despite the calls launched by Zelenski and several international leaders to take part in the peace discussions in Istanbul.
The Russian delegation does not include any high -ranking politician of the Kremlin, including Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and the presidential adviser on foreign policy issues, Iuri Usakov.
Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna described Putin's decision to send only lower -rank counselors “a palm over the face” on May 15.
