EU chief: Sanctions against Russia will remain in place until its economy is ‘torn apart’

The sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia will remain in place until its economy is “torn apart” stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during a speech in the European Parliament.

“Sanctions will remain. Now is the time for determination, not appeasement. Putin will be defeated, and Ukraine will win, ”the head of the EC said. She also accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of unleashing an energy war and expressed confidence that Western sanctions would “tear apart” the country’s economy.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg in an interview with the Wiener Zeitung earlier declaredthat sanctions against Russia may be lifted in the future, but this is still “very far away”. Now, EU countries need to have strong nerves and show “iron patience” as the sanctions, in his estimation, become more and more effective, he added.

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, Western countries imposed sanctions against Russia, which also affected the energy sector. Against the backdrop of restrictions and reductions in gas supplies from Russia to Europe, energy prices have risen sharply. EU authorities have repeatedly recognized that Europe is in for a difficult winter. At the same time, they do not plan to lift the sanctions, explaining the problems that have arisen at the cost of Europe’s independence from Russia and its energy resources.

Subscribe on “Vedomosti” in Telegram and stay up to date with the main news of the economy and business