The Kremlin is adamant that the EU’s deliberate 18th package deal of sanctions won’t result in an finish to Russia’s battle of in opposition to Ukraine.
“Solely logic and reasoned arguments can carry Russia to the negotiating desk,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised Russian state tv on Sunday.
“It’s not possible to power Russia by means of any form of stress or violence.”
Peskov expressed his conviction that the brand new package deal of sanctions sought by the EU will finally be adopted regardless of opposition from Slovakia. Nonetheless, he stated that the more durable the punitive measures, the stronger the backlash in opposition to them could be.
Sanctions, Peskov stated, are a “double-edged sword.” Moscow usually says that the EU itself will undergo much more from the sanctions, for instance by foregoing Russian uncooked supplies and power.
It’s also circumventing the restrictions with the assistance of different international locations and has considerably expanded its arms manufacturing.
Final Friday, the adoption of the EU’s 18th package deal of sanctions initially failed as a result of resistance from Slovakia. A brand new vote has been postponed indefinitely.
Russia considers the sanctions unlawful, in line with Peskov.
“Clearly, after virtually 4 years, we’ve got developed a sure resistance. And we’ve got already discovered find out how to reduce the impression of such packages,” he stated.
The EU sanctions are primarily directed in opposition to the Russian economic system and intention to deprive the nation of the monetary means to proceed its battle in opposition to Ukraine, which is in its fourth yr.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is urging the worldwide neighborhood to accentuate sanctions, calling them an important instrument to curb Moscow’s battle machine.
“Sanctions ought to now be one of the essential priorities – the world’s sanctions in opposition to Russia,” Zelensky stated in his night video tackle on Sunday.
The remarks adopted his current signing of a decree aligning Ukraine’s sanctions coverage with that of its worldwide allies, together with the European Union and G7 group of main democracies. Zelensky additionally introduced plans to undertake EU sanctions in opposition to Iran.
Regardless of the EU’s failure to approve a brand new sanctions package deal in opposition to Russia, Zelensky referred to as for a renewed effort.
Sanctions, he stated, are one thing “that actually limits Russia’s strategic growth alternatives, its potential, and will much more painfully restrict Russia’s skill to proceed this battle, the battle in opposition to our independence, day-after-day.”