Ukraine’s demands for immediate sanctions against Russia have divided the EU. With an EUForeign Ministers Meeting on Monday in Brussels, Baltic states such as Lithuania were open to more decisive action. However, there was clear rejection from countries like Austria and Ireland. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in Brussels that there was already a Russian attack on Ukraine and that a discussion had to be started on how to react. According to him, for example, it would be conceivable to sanction those in Russia who are responsible for misinformation about the Ukraine conflict.
the Austrian Foreign Minister however, made it clear that he Time for new punitive measures has not yet come for sees. “This is not yet the Russian military aggression we are talking about,” he said. The European Union has always said that it will react proportionately. “Sanctions are a reaction, a kind of punishment,” he explained. “You can’t do that in advance, and you shouldn’t either.”
the Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney advocated that Focus on diplomatic initiatives like laying those for the US-Russia summit. Together with the United States and others, the European Union should focus on making it a success, he said. The EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said to the sanctions debate: “I will convene a special meeting of foreign ministers at the right moment.” When the moment comes, you will be ready. At the moment, however, they are still working to ensure that he does not come. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock initially did not comment publicly on the sanctions debate in Brussels.