Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated during a visit to Finland on Thursday that the European Union is moving through with the ninth package of sanctions against Russia in retaliation for Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
The eighth round of invasion-related sanctions, which include tighter controls on the trade in steel and electronic items, received final approval from the EU last month.
“We are working hard to hit Russia where it hurts to blunt even further its capacity to wage war on Ukraine and I can announce today that we are working full speed on a ninth sanctions package,” said von der Leyen.
“And I’m confident that we will very soon approve a global price cap on Russian oil with the G7 and other major partners. We will not rest until Ukraine has prevailed over Putin and his unlawful and barbaric war,” she said at a news conference.
Von der Leyen did not elaborate on the specific measures that a fresh wave of EU sanctions would include.
She referred to “Putin’s barbaric terrorist attack on the country’s civil infrastructure” as war crimes and claimed that as a result of him, Ukrainians will have to endure the forthcoming winter without electricity and, in many places, running water.”
“Babies, their parents, and grandparents are freezing in the dark, and I strongly condemn these barbaric attacks. But I also know that our Ukrainian friends will overcome this tragedy because they are strong,” commented von der Leyen.
By Sophie Hodler
