Costa: EU Delegation Heads to Washington to Coordinate New Sanctions on Russia
European Council President António Costa announced that a European delegation is heading to Washington to coordinate with the US on a new package of sanctions against Russia aimed at increasing economic pressure and ending the war in Ukraine.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Interfax-Ukraine.
Costa made this statement at a press briefing after a bilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Zakarpattia.
He stressed that more sanctions are needed to force Russia to stop the war. That is why work on a new sanctions package is beginning, and the European team is heading to Washington to work on this with American partners.
“We are working with the US and other partners to increase our pressure through further sanctions, direct sanctions, and secondary sanctions... Work on a new sanctions package is beginning in Brussels, and our team, the European team, is heading to Washington to work with our American friends,” Costa said.
He stressed that Europe is working together with Ukraine on a shared future, supporting Ukraine's path to EU membership.
“It is clear that Ukraine's membership in the European Union is not only the best guarantee of security, it is also the most effective path to prosperity and a better future for Ukrainians,” the European Council President added.
Meanwhile, he noted that the EU is impressed by the reforms Ukraine is carrying out despite the war.
“We support you in your efforts to achieve peace and in the peace talks. And we also support your future as a full member of the European Union,” Costa concluded.
In turn, Zelenskyy also confirmed the plans of European leaders, responding to a journalist's request to comment on the information about US President Donald Trump's refusal to impose additional sanctions against Russia.
“It has been agreed that European and American teams at the appropriate staff level will coordinate joint sanctions in the coming days. This means that no one is giving up on pressure through sanctions,” the Ukrainian President noted.
As The Gaze informed earlier, the European Union is preparing a 19th package of sanctions against Russia that could target its energy sector, financial services, and third countries helping Moscow evade existing restrictions.