Moscow would have its access to financial markets and high-tech goods limited under Western sanctions being prepared in case Russia attacks Ukraine, a top European Union official says.
The comments from Ursula von der Leyen, head of the EU’s Executive Commission, come as tensions over Russia’s intentions toward Ukraine intensify.
“The Kremlin’s dangerous thinking, which comes straight out of a dark past, may cost Russia a prosperous future,” von der Leyen says during the annual Munich Security Conference, where US Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke.
Von der Leyen says the EU’s executive arm has developed a “robust and comprehensive package” of possible financial sanctions against Russia with the US, UK and Canada.
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen addresses European lawmakers in Brussels, on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, Pool)
“In case that Russia strikes, we will limit the access to financial markets for the Russian economy and [impose] export controls that will stop the possibility for Russia to modernize and diversify its economy,” she added.
“And we have a lot of high-tech goods where we have a global dominance, and that are absolutely necessary for Russia and cannot be replaced easily.”
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on Google
