European summit in Tirana: EU accompanies Ukraine negotiation start with sanction threat

The European partners of Ukraine accompanied the beginning of the peace talks in Istanbul with loud new threats of sanctions against Russia. At a meeting of European heads of state and government in the Albanian capital Tirana, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a proposal for a new package with punitive measures. Great Britain’s head of government Keir Strandmer declared that if there were no ceasefire, you will act together in sanctions.

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj demanded determination from the partners. If it turns out that Russia with his delegation only lists a staging and could not deliver any results, the world must react. “It takes a strong answer, including sanctions against Russia’s energy sector and banks,” he said. “The pressure must continue to increase until real progress is made.”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) said that he hoped that the American side could also be won to contribute to the end of the Russian war against Ukraine alongside the Europeans.

As announced by the Leyen, the new EU package should prevent the resumption of the operation of the North Stream gas pipelines. In addition, a reduction in the price lid for Russian oil as well as other sanctions against the Russian financial sector and against ships of the Russian shadow fleet are planned.

The upper oil price limit had already been appointed in 2022 and is intended to force Russia to sell oil for a maximum of $ 60 per barrel (159 liters) to customers in other countries. The measure aims to reduce one of the most important Russian sources of income and thus also the country’s ability to continue the war of attack against Ukraine.

According to the EU Commission, the possible sanctions against Nord Stream are primarily intended to deter investors from relying on a renewed use according to a possible peace deal. Operatively, they currently have no consequences, since the tubes in the Baltic Sea are currently no gas flowing to Europe anyway. One of the two tubes from Nord Stream 2 was destroyed in an attack in September 2022, as was the strands of the North Stream 1 pipeline that had already been used earlier.

From the Leyen: Putin does not want peace

From the Leyen, the preparation of the new sanction package said that Russia rejected the call of the EU and the USA for a complete and unconditional ceasefire for 30 days. In addition, President Vladimir Putin did not travel to Turkey for negotiations with Selenskyj, which the Kremlin boss had offered himself. “President Selenskyj was ready for the meeting – President Putin never appeared,” said von der Leyen. This shows Putin’s true view: he does not want peace.

The new plans have nothing to do with the already negotiated 17th EU package with Russia sanctions. This is to be formally decided on Tuesday at a Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels. Among other things, it provides for a further tightening of the procedure against the so -called Russian shadow fleet for the transport of oil and oil products. It is also planned to target dozens of other companies that are involved in the bypass of existing sanctions or support the Russian armaments industry.

The talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul are the first direct of the war parties since 2022. However, Putin did not travel, although Selenskyj had agreed to meet.