The European Commission is proposing new and tougher sanctions against Russia in its 19th package now under discussion. The proposals, released by EC President Ursula von der Leyen on Sept. 19, will be taken up on Oct. 1 at the Copenhagen meeting of leaders of the 27 EU member nations. U.S. President Donald Trump demanded in a letter to NATO member nations on Sept. 13, that Europe “better stop buying oil from Russia” or the U.S. will not engage in “major sanctions” on Russia. Von der Leyen and EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas operatically made ringing remarks against Russia on Sept. 19, saying that the sanctions are aimed to pressure Russia to agree to talks.
Britain announced its own new set of sanctions against Russia also, principally consisting of sanctions on ships in Russia’s “ghost fleet,” flagged in other countries and disguising cargoes. The U.K. put sanctions on a businessman and certain entities in Georgia in this regard.
