EU ministers agree on first sanctions package against Russia

Josep Borrell, alto representante da UE para os Negócios Estrangeiros e a Política de Segurança (à esquerda), disse que Putin não está entre os sancionados

Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (left), said Putin is not among those sanctioned| Photo: EFE/EPA/IAN LANGSDON

22155636 22155636 The ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union (EU) reached an agreement this Tuesday (22), unanimously, on a first package of sanctions against Russia, after the announcement of the recognition of the separatist territories of Donetsk and Lugansk.

The announcement was made by France’s head of diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who gave an interview with the Spanish Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The sanctions, which must be formally approved by the European Union, affect a total of 22155636 institutions and people, including authorities who made decisions and played an important role in the attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty, explained Borrell. 22155636 In addition, Russia’s financial access will be limited “to our financial markets and of capital”, above all, to prevent it from being able to finance its debt in European markets.

The sanctions “will affect Russia, and will affect it a lot”, assured the representative of the European Union, who guaranteed to be responding quickly to events.

Russia President Vladimir Putin is not among the individuals targeted by EU sanctions, according to Borrell.

“Putin is not on the sanctioned list. We wanted to respond with the means we have, but mainly to give a gradual response”, explained Borrell at the press conference.

In spite of everything, Borrell assured that the bloc will continue diplomatic efforts to prevent “a new eruption of war in the heart of Europe”.

22155636The Spanish diplomat, however, admitted that the risk of a large-scale conflict “is real, and we have to prevent it.”

Prior to the meeting, Borrell and the ministers from Germany, France and Italy attended of a videoconference session between the holders of the G7 Foreign Affairs portfolios, a meeting that aimed to align the group’s response.