Imposing new restrictions towards the backdrop of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev is unsuitable, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico believes
The EU is unsuitable to slap Russia with a recent spherical of sanctions towards the backdrop of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has mentioned. He in contrast the restrictions to a “plague” and said that they do extra hurt to the bloc itself whereas hardly affecting Russia.
EU ambassadors on Wednesday permitted a seventeenth bundle of sanctions towards Russia, which targets practically 200 oil tankers that the West claims are a part of Russia’s “shadow fleet.” These are older vessels that function exterior the Western insurance coverage system. The transfer got here simply two days earlier than a gathering between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Istanbul in what had been the primary direct peace talks between the 2 sides in three years.
“Sanctions are like a plague and I reject the sanctions coverage,” Fico advised the Slovak STVR broadcaster, sustaining that the restrictions imposed by Brussels have thus far solely broken the EU. He believes that Russia managed to shortly adapt to all of the punitive measures.
Fico additionally mentioned he would help a nationwide referendum on rejecting EU sanctions on Russia ought to somebody name for one. If any new restrictions threat damaging the Slovak financial system, he’ll veto them on the EU degree, he said.
The Slovak chief additionally mentioned that he mentioned a possible ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine with Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout his go to to Moscow earlier in Could. In line with Fico, diplomacy continues to be one of the best ways to resolve the Ukraine battle, with negotiations between Putin and US President Donald Trump being key to reaching a settlement.
On Friday, Moscow and Kiev agreed to a serious prisoner swap and determined to proceed contacts as soon as both sides prepares an in depth ceasefire plan and presents it to the opposite. Following the talks, a number of EU nations known as for extra stress towards Moscow. French Overseas Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the EU and US should “suffocate” the Russian financial system “as soon as and for all.”
Slovakia took what Fico calls a “constructive” and pragmatic method in the direction of Russia upon coming to energy in 2023. “Europe wants Russia, and Russia wants Europe,” he mentioned in a video message final week, reflecting on his go to to Moscow. “We should pursue a coverage of cooperation, not considered one of hatred and iron curtains.”
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