France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, has urged the United States and European nations to implement a new wave of sanctions aimed at “suffocating” Russia’s economy and forcing President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
While the European Union approved a fresh sanctions package against Moscow on Wednesday, Barrot stressed that previous measures had not succeeded in stopping Russia’s aggression, which has now entered its fourth year.
“We must go further,” Barrot told French broadcaster BFMTV. “These massive sanctions have not yet deterred Vladimir Putin from continuing his war of aggression against Ukraine.”
Barrot called for “devastating sanctions that could suffocate the Russian economy once and for all.” He added that he plans to meet U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Turkey on Thursday to discuss a U.S. sanctions bill currently in development.
According to Barrot, Graham has rallied dozens of U.S. lawmakers in support of an aggressive package that includes steep tariffs—reportedly up to 500 percent—on countries that continue to import Russian oil.
“Russia has found ways to circumvent the blockade imposed by Europe and the United States,” Barrot said. “Turning off the tap in this way is a method of grabbing Russia by the throat.”
He also expressed hope that Europe would impose sanctions targeting Russian hydrocarbons, a major source of funding for Moscow’s war effort.
Despite calls from France, Britain, Germany, and Poland for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Russia has not agreed to halt its military campaign. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has invited Putin to attend peace talks in Turkey on Thursday, though Moscow has yet to confirm who will represent them.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Tuesday that further sanctions would be imposed if Russia refused a ceasefire.
The EU’s 17th sanctions package focuses on curbing Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used for transporting oil. However, officials acknowledge that the latest measures are more limited in scope, reflecting growing difficulty in reaching consensus on new targets.
AFP
