The European Union is working on implementing the 19th sanctions package against the Russian Federation. According to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, the restrictions already in place have proven effective, negatively impacting the Russian economy.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Sanctions and Their Impact on the Russian Economy
At the Bled Strategic Forum, Kaja Kallas emphasized that economic pressure is the only effective tool for influencing the Russian leadership. She pointed out that Vladimir Putin attempted to organize a meeting in Alaska to delay new sanctions from the US. In Kallas’s view, it is the sanctions that have significantly worsened the economic situation in Russia, which, according to her, is “not coping well.”
“Pressure is the only thing that Putin really takes seriously. The reason he wanted to hold a meeting in Alaska was to postpone the threat of sanctions coming from the US. So he really does not want sanctions. If we assess their impact on the Russian economy, it is clear that the sanctions are indeed working… (The Russian economy – ed.) is not coping well,” Kallas noted.
Assessment of US Actions and Diplomatic Prospects
The EU’s High Representative welcomed the efforts of the US President, particularly highlighting the introduction of secondary sanctions against Russia’s trade partners. At the same time, she noted that if the international community had acted more decisively, the war could have ended sooner. Kallas also commented on the US President’s diplomatic approach, stating that he appears to be “very patient” regarding Vladimir Putin.
Kaja Kallas pointed out that Putin’s demands for the transfer of Ukrainian territories that were not seized by military means represent a trap for the international community. She emphasized that Russia is making no concessions, and discussions often boil down to what Ukraine should sacrifice.
The head of European diplomacy stressed that she currently sees no signs of Moscow’s readiness for real peace. On the contrary, she stated that Russia is preparing for further escalation of the war against Ukraine, particularly for new attacks on energy infrastructure during the winter period. Kallas highlighted that achieving peace requires the willingness of both sides, and as long as Russia seeks war, there will be no peace.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also stated that Russia shows no intention of participating in the peace negotiations proposed by the US, but instead is preparing to prolong the war.
At the same time, US President Donald Trump expressed hope this week for a “very quick” end to the war in Ukraine. However, he did not specify any timelines and added that he is ready to impose new economic sanctions against Russia if Putin does not show a desire for peace.