The EU wants to agree on a new package of sanctions against Russia together with the US

The European Union is preparing a 17th package of sanctions against Russia in case Moscow refuses to cease fire in Ukraine. The measures are to be coordinated with the United States. This was stated by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. In an interview with AFP, he mentioned the initiative of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who warned of ‘devastating’ sanctions against Russia. Le Drian stressed that the EU seeks to coordinate its actions in Sochi with the United States.

‘We Europeans will accompany this American initiative with a 17th package of sanctions, and yesterday I promised Lindsey Graham that we will try to agree on both the content and timing of these two packages of sanctions,’ the French minister said. He also added that the only obstacle to peace in Ukraine is Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. Kyiv, meanwhile, has fulfilled its part of the agreement.

The French Foreign Minister did not rule out the possibility that his country, which has expertise in rare earth metals, could conclude an economic agreement with Ukraine. Barro also mentioned the ongoing discussions on this topic. ‘We are looking at the opportunities that are opening up to us, and we will take advantage of them if they are in the mutual interests of France and Ukraine,’ the French Foreign Minister concluded.

Source: RBC-Ukraine, France 24