European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union (EU) is getting ready to introduce a new package of sanctions against Russia as well as to increase military and financial aid to Ukraine.
Speaking in her traditional State of the Union address to the European Parliament on Wednesday (local time), von der Leyen stated that the bloc is working with partners on a 19th package of sanctions, including steps to speed up the phase-out of Russian fossil fuels and restrict Russia's so-called shadow fleet.
She underscored that the EU has so far given close to 170 billion euros (199 billion US dollars) of military and financial support to Ukraine and is formulating new mechanisms to ensure long-term assistance. One such scheme includes utilising immobilised Russian assets to establish a "Reparations Loan" for Ukraine.
Von der Leyen also announced the establishment of a "Drone Alliance" with Ukraine to enable the nation to maintain an edge on the battlefield, in addition to an "Eastern Flank Watch" system. The latter will entail investment in real-time space observation and the creation of a "drone wall" along Europe's eastern border, following a suggestion by the Baltic countries, Xinhua news agency reports.
Fending off criticism of a newly inked trade deal with the United States, von der Leyen characterized it as "the best possible" arrangement for Europe, averted a potentially debilitating trade war.
She further unveiled plans for a multi-billion-euro "Scaleup Europe Fund," seeking to link EU and private money to finance companies that grow rapidly in strategic sectors. (1 euro = 1.17 US dollar)
Earlier in the week, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that sanctions would be unable to budge Russia from its position on Ukraine.
The remarks were made on September 8 during EU-Washington talks regarding additional sanctions on Russia. On September 7, US President Donald Trump said the White House was ready to impose a second round of sanctions on Russia after peace talks stalled in the Ukraine conflict.
Peskov pointed out that earlier sanctions from the West had been "useless" in pushing Russia. "The record number of sanctions that have been imposed on our nation in the past… almost four years now has no impact," he told reporters, adding that Ukraine and Europe were actively lobbying the United States to impose additional restrictions.
The Kremlin underscored that Russia remains committed to joining US-initiated peace efforts. "We welcome these efforts and hope they will continue to be pursued in a constructive direction," Peskov stated.
He also added that Moscow will attentively observe Washington's words about possible new sanctions on Russia. Peskov added further that Russia will continue its special military operation until a diplomatic solution ensures the security of the country.
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