Sanctions against Russia ‘are here to stay’: Von der Leyen
Strasbourg, France, Sep 14 (EFE).- European Union sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine “are here to stay,” president of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Wednesday.
“This is the price for Putin’s trail of death and destruction and I want to make it very clear, the sanctions are here to stay,” von der Leyen said in her annual State of the Union address.
“This is the time for us to show resolve, not appeasement,” she added.
The Commission chief continued to say that the sanctions imposed on Moscow were the “toughest sanctions the world has ever seen” and that Russia’s financial sector was on “life-support” because of them.
“It is the Kremlin that has put Russia’s economy on the path to oblivion.”
Almost 1,000 companies have left the Russian market and three-quarters of Russia’s banking sector has been cut off from international markets since the Kremlin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine over six months ago.
Von der Leyen pledged long-term support for Ukraine, reminding that Team Europe — an initiative to improve the coherence and coordination of efforts between EU Members — has provided Kyiv with more than 19 billion euros in financial assistance since the beginning of the war.
“And we are in it for the long haul,” the German politician said.
Von der Leyen also paid tribute to the Balkans and other central and eastern European countries including Moldova, Georgia and Poland.
“One lesson from this war is we should have listened to those who know Putin.
“They have been telling us for years that Putin would not stop.” EFE
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