Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed his belief that despite Slovakia's objections, the 27 governments of the European Union will adopt the 18th package of sanctions against Russia, in accordance with the relevant proposal of the European Commission.
“I am grateful that the Commission has presented its proposals for an 18th sanctions package. If everything goes according to plan, it will be adopted already next week,” said Mr. Merz on Wednesday evening, after a meeting with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, adding that similar preparations are underway in the US. Ms. Frederiksen, for her part, called for a tough stance against Russia and said that efforts to negotiate with Moscow have been made for some time without result. Referring to Slovakia’s stance, Mr. Merz said that the EU Permanent Representatives would negotiate the sanctions package next week. “We may need to discuss it again in the European Council, but there may be an agreement earlier, already next week,” he noted.
Asked about the letter from Social Democratic Party (SPD) leaders calling for a review of security policy in the direction of “more diplomacy and less armaments,” the Chancellor assured that he was relying on the unity of the governing coalition and the common assessment of the parties that make up it regarding the war in Ukraine. “Russia is a threat to the security of the entire alliance. It is a risk to security on both sides of the Atlantic,” Mr. Merz insisted.
Source: iefimerida.gr
