Sanctions against Russia: is the next escalation in the Ukraine conflict?

Sanctions against Russia: is the next escalation in the Ukraine conflict?

Vatikan, Italien - The pressure on Russia has increased today, since the US government and the European Union signaled that they are willing to impose additional sanctions if there are no progress in the discussions on solving the Ukraine conflict. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that there is a broad majority in the American Parliament for further measures against Russia, provided there are no significant progress. This was reported by the Kleine Zeitung .

The US government asked the congress for postponement to impose new sanctions to enable negotiations. Despite this request, the congress could act if the government should not show any progress. Rubio made it clear that it is currently being tested whether Moscow only wants to win time. This is done in the context of a planned call between US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, which aims to address the Russian attack war against Ukraine, as the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reported.

urgency of the conversations

Rubio thanked the Vatican for the generous offer to act as a place for possible conversations between Russia and Ukraine. This offer could offer an opportunity for a dialogue between President Putin and the Ukrainian President Selenskyj. However, he emphasized that there is currently no place and time for a direct meeting between Trump and Putin, and the Kremlin also dampened expectations of an early meeting.

In the past few days there has also been an exchange between Ukrainian and Russian supporters in Istanbul, but the negotiations have so far not agreed on an arms rest. This development has not exactly strengthened the European efforts to solve the conflict. Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken out in favor of involving Italy in the European efforts for an end to the war, which underlines urgency to step into dialogue with Russia.

planned sanctions of the EU

A crucial point in the negotiations will be the oil price lid, which is supposed to force Russia to sell oil for a maximum of $ 60 per barrel. In addition, a tightening against the so -called Russian shadow fleet and against companies that deal with existing sanctions is planned. A corresponding decision is to be caught next Tuesday during a Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels. With these measures, the EU hopes to effectively limit Russia's ability to continue the conflict.

The current situation clearly shows that both Washington and Brussels hold on a harder line opposite Moscow. Regardless of the diplomatic efforts, the prospect of peace in the region remains uncertain, while the conversations and negotiations have to be in full swing.