The 17th package of sanctions against Russia was approved (video)

The ambassadors of the European Union today, May 14, approved the 17th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation. Hungary and Slovakia did not block him.

According to Russian information agency TASS, a source in institutes told reporters about this EU:

“The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the EU approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia.”

The source added that the approval of these restrictions is expected by the Foreign Ministry of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the European Union.

Meanwhile, the Reuters agency, with reference to European officials and diplomats, wrote that the new large -scale sanctions that the EU leaders threatened in the event of the refusal of Vladimir Putin to cease to be in Ukraine and require coordination with the United States for implementation.

After the introduction of 16 packages of sanctions aimed at restricting the economic capabilities of Russia in connection with its invasion of Ukraine, the European Union becomes increasingly difficult to achieve the consent of all 27 member countries regarding new restrictive measures. One of the main obstacles is Hungary, which maintains close ties with the Kremlin.

The sources of the agency note that only the direct pressure from Washington could change the position of Budapest, but at present such pressure is not observed. It remains also unclear whether US President Donald Trump is ready to act synchronously with Europeans.

Reuters interlocutors emphasize that sharp statements from the EU about new sanctions can turn into reputation losses if they are not supported by real actions. A senior European official noted:

“You keep sanctions on the table as a lever of pressure, but if you put forward an ultimatum, not having the opportunity to realize it, it looks frivolous. The danger is that Moscow can regard statements such as bluff. ”

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