In the wake of hints that the European Union wants to escalate its sanctions against Russia, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said Western Europe and the U.S. must “go further” and “prepare to brandish devastating sanctions” to “suffocate” the Russian economy “once and for all,” in order to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine conflict.
“Russia has found ways around the blockade imposed by Europe and the United States. Turning off the tap in this way is a way of grabbing Russia by the throat,” he told French broadcaster BFMTV on May 14.
