- There is a solution to the war in Ukraine. Whoever attacks can withdraw.
This is what a tired Swedish Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, said after the EU countries concluded the first part of the EU summit in Brussels on Friday night.
No new sanctions were adopted at Thursday's part of the EU summit, but according to Magdalena Andersson, there is agreement to put maximum pressure on Russia by closing loopholes in the existing sanctions. At the same time, US President Joe Biden sent a signal of agreement among Western countries by participating in part of the meeting.
- We have discussed sanctions, but the emphasis has been on ensuring that all countries follow them, says Magdalena Andersson.
She states that there was also agreement to continue support for Ukraine, both in terms of deliveries of weapons and aid to Ukrainian refugees.
Will have major consequences
Therefore, the EU countries continue to refrain from imposing sanctions against Russia's energy exports, which are one of Russia's largest sources of income during the war. Ukraine is keen to stop the financing of the war by stopping the purchase of Russian energy.
According to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, it will have major consequences for EU countries if they start to cut off Russian energy.
- We have discussed energy, but if we impose sanctions on energy now, it will have major consequences for our economy, says Alexander De Croo.
The US has already imposed a ban on the import of Russian oil and gas. But the US is more independent of Russian energy than the European countries, which instead want to free themselves from Russian President Vladimir Putin's energy in the long term.
- We see a Germany that is investing massively in renewable energy. Many other countries are also making decisions in the energy field that will have great significance in the years to come. Overall, this will have a huge effect on Russia's economy in the coming years, says Alexander De Croo.
More sanctions may follow
In the conclusion from the first day of the summit, the EU countries state that Russia is committing "war crimes" in Ukraine by attacking civilians in hospitals and schools. The EU countries again call on Russia to withdraw its soldiers.
The conclusion also suggests that new sanctions may follow, without specifying which ones. At the same time, the EU countries agree to establish a fund that will pool funds for the reconstruction of Ukraine.
To this end, an international conference will be held where funds can be raised for the fund. Although the summit does not increase sanctions against Russia, according to the Belgian Prime Minister, the West is succeeding in isolating Putin economically and diplomatically.
- This summit shows that we are not alone in a chaotic world. We have our European and American partners. It's the opposite of Putin, who is completely alone in the world, says Alexandre De Croo.
Ritzau
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