The head of the largest faction in the European Parliament demands tough sanctions against Russia | News from Germany about Europe

The leader of the largest faction in the European Parliament (EP) called for the development of new, tougher EU sanctions in response to a possible Russian military invasion of Ukraine. “The fact is that more than 100 thousand heavily armed soldiers are deployed on the borders of Ukraine … Therefore, we must prepare for the most difficult issues, and this means that in Europe … a war may start again,” said the head of the European People’s Party (EPP) faction Manfred Weber on the air of the German media company NDR on Thursday 16 December.

The European Union must respond to such a decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin with radical economic measures, Weber explained. Among other things, we can talk about the exclusion of the Russian Federation from the international banking system, as well as the refusal to commission the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, the politician said.

Weber: Using military force as a political tool is taboo in Europe

“We must clearly explain to Vladimir Putin that if he uses the military and war as a political instrument, which has been taboo in Europe since World War II, … there will be severe economic consequences,” the head of the European Conservative faction stressed. Manfred Weber added that he cannot imagine the launch of Nord Stream 2 “if Putin starts a war.”

The situation on the border between Russia and Ukraine will be one of the main topics at the EU summit, which will be held in Brussels on the same day and will be the last in the outgoing year. According to NATO, the Russian Federation could pull up to the border with Ukraine from 75 thousand to 100 thousand soldiers and officers.

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Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Checking weapons systems
So far, artillery fire on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian border is being conducted for testing purposes. According to official figures, the troops are checking the combat readiness of their weapons systems. In a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry, a Russian self-propelled mortar fires.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
West expresses support for Ukraine
The West assures Kiev of its solidarity. In his first telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, US President Joe Biden reiterated to Volodymyr Zelenskiy “the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Donbas and Crimea.” Representatives of NATO and the EU made similar statements.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Troops are pulling up to Donbass
In early March, Russia began to strengthen its military presence on the border with Ukraine. Moscow said that in this way it responds to Kiev’s provocations aimed at escalating the conflict in Donbass. According to observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), there were no provocations.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
American destroyers are already in the Black Sea
The US, NATO and the EU have pledged support to Ukraine in protecting its territorial integrity. On April 9, Ankara reported that the United States had already announced at the end of March the passage of two of its warships through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. The picture shows one of two American destroyers that passed through the strait towards the Black Sea on March 20.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
A war that has been going on for seven years
The conflict in eastern Ukraine erupted in early 2014, when pro-Russian separatists took control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. According to the authorities in Kiev and their Western allies, the Kremlin is helping the separatists by supplying illegal weapons and sending mercenaries. Since then, the parties to the conflict have repeatedly agreed on a ceasefire, but these agreements have been constantly violated.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Bombed and destroyed
This man is standing on the ruins of his house, located on the territory of the self-proclaimed “DPR”. The house was destroyed during the fighting between the separatists and the Ukrainian army. They involve soldiers, mercenaries, separatists and paramilitary units. But the fighting has affected civilians again and again. At the beginning of 2019, according to the UN, about 3,300 civilians were killed in the Donbas.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Clashes and deaths despite the truce
In total, since 2014, more than 13,000 people have died as a result of the fighting in Donbass. According to the OSCE, the current ceasefire, in effect since July 2020, has been relatively stable. However, shelling has recently become more frequent. In recent days, at least five Ukrainian soldiers and a five-year-old boy have been killed on the territory of the “DPR”. Kiev denies any involvement in his death.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Zelensky presented awards to Ukrainian soldiers
On April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Donbass and tried to sort out the situation on the spot. He awarded the Ukrainian soldiers who distinguished themselves in their service at the front. And on April 10, Zelensky will meet with Turkish President Erdogan. Ukrainian media report that Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with French President Macron.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass
Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure
In 2019, Russia began to issue citizenship to residents of the “DPR” / “LPR” using a simplified procedure. According to various sources, about 600 thousand people with Russian citizenship now live there. Moscow has already announced that Russia will take all the necessary measures to protect them. A spokeswoman for the US president said the Russian military presence on the border with Ukraine is now the largest since 2014.
By Jan Walter, Kevin Mertens