The European Union is preparing for “heavy” sanctions in order to “discour” Moscow

The Europeans still hoped to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin through dialogue to abandon a possible invasion of Ukraine, but on Friday 14 January they began to prepare. ”Lourdes“Sanctions against Moscow because of”deterAnd to confirm their credibility in the face of their American ally.

Read alsoUkraine: Moscow points to differences with NATO

«We have the will to bend Russia, the convergence of analysis, the collective determination to act, the will to make the EU heardThe head of French diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian, whose country currently chairs the European Union, confirmed to the press during an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers organized on Thursday and Friday in Brest, western France. “Sanctions are on the table. The conviction is that the danger of Russian interference in Ukraine is real and we must be ready to respondAnother minister told AFP. “We must not take weeks to agree, as was the case with the annexation of Crimea in 2014He confirmed. He said a new discussion was scheduled for the official ministerial meeting on January 24 in Brussels.

see also Die Welt: – Russia has run out of patience in discussions with NATO

Russia has amassed nearly 100,000 soldiers, tanks and artillery on Ukraine’s borders. It denies its desire to proceed with military intervention, but it is not convincing. “Putin is a chess player‘, noted a European leader. “It is unpredictable, but now is the time to act, because if he waits, Ukraine will be strongerHe declared, explaining that his fears are fueled by the multiplication of accidents.

Read alsoCyber ​​attack: the EU mobilizes all its resources to help Ukraine

A cyberattack on several government websites in Ukraine on Friday confirmed Europeans’ concerns. “It is very worrying. A cyberattack can precede military activitiesAustrian Minister Alexander Schallenberg commented. “This is exactly the kind of thing we dread‘, added his Swedish counterpart, Anne Lind.We have to be very firm in our response to Russia and say that if there are attacks on Ukraine, we will be very strong and very strong in our response.“, she insisted.

Europeans still rely on dialogue and diplomacy. German Minister Annalena Barbock said she is going to Moscow next week for talks.in all levels». «Diplomacy, especially in times of crisis, is distinguished by great perseverance, great patience and strong nerves.and hung.

But Moscow rained goodwill on the Europeans. “I see no reason to sit at the (negotiations) table in the next few days, meet again and start the same discussions all over again.». “Ask Moscow if it’s a hoaxJean-Yves Le Drian told AFP.

see also Ukraine: Russian tanks train near the border

«be credible»

Moscow is asking NATO to legally and obligately pledge to abandon the accession of Ukraine and Georgia, whose nominations have been accepted by the alliance, and withdraw its soldiers from countries that have become members since the alliance. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 union.

Europeans are afraidNew YaltaBilateral agreement between Washington and Moscow on security in Europe. Their credibility is on the line, depending on Russian gas and their economic ties with Russia, they have always been reluctant to follow the United States into the confrontation with that country. In Brest, they did not cease to praise the coordination “Absolutely perfectwith the Americans. But they find it difficult to follow Washington on sanctions options for fear of retaliation. Energy, Finance, Technologies and Targeted Sanctions Against the Russian President: The scope proposed by the United States is broad and divided, especially in Germany, where the Social Democratic Party has refused to use the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline as leverage. Counsellor Olaf Schultz.

Read alsoUkraine: Facing stalemate, OSCE calls for urgent return to dialogue

«The credibility of Europeans depends on their ability to adopt severe sanctionsThe minister admitted consulting Agence France-Presse. «What matters is deterrence, credibility in what will be decided if Russia engages in a new intervention in Ukraine.‘,” explained a diplomat involved in the discussions. “But what a failure in deterrence if we are to apply it‘ the minister confirmed. This means that we failed to avoid conflict.”