French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot announced on Thursday that the European Union is gearing up to enforce a 17th round of sanctions against Russia, attributing President Vladimir Putin as the primary obstacle to peace in Ukraine. The EU has maintained stringent penalties on Russia since its invasion, with a condition that the sanctions will only be lifted upon Putin’s complete withdrawal of forces from Ukraine.
Barrot revealed in an interview with AFP that the EU will coordinate its sanctions with an American initiative led by Senator Lindsey Graham to impose additional sanctions on Moscow and tariffs on nations purchasing Russian energy. He criticized Putin for hindering peace efforts in Ukraine, emphasizing that Russia has made no efforts towards a ceasefire or peace negotiations.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine intensified when Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, which was countered by Kyiv with international assistance primarily from the US and European countries. Barrot highlighted Ukraine’s willingness to engage in economic cooperation with the US and other nations, contrasting Russia’s lack of commitment to peace.
Furthermore, Barrot did not dismiss the possibility of France collaborating with Ukraine on economic agreements, particularly in the field of rare earth minerals. He mentioned a recent deal between the US and Ukraine to jointly develop the latter’s critical mineral resources, aiming to enhance security and prevent future Russian aggression.
Following a meeting with US counterpart Marco Rubio, Barrot expressed satisfaction with their discussions on advancing peace in Ukraine. He emphasized the need for European strategic autonomy and a stronger European role in NATO, while also calling for de-escalation of tariffs between the US and EU for mutual benefit.
In conclusion, Barrot stressed the importance of the current moment for Europe and echoed French President Emmanuel Macron’s calls for European strategic autonomy. The article emphasizes the ongoing efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine through coordinated international actions.
