Ukraine war: EU Parliament leader Metsola announces further sanctions against Russia!

Germany refuses to boycott Russian energy! Ukraine war: EU Parliament leader Metsola announces further sanctions against Russia. The talks between Scholz and Metsola should, among other things, be about how to support Ukraine and coordinate war refugees within the EU. Metsola spoke of the “largest refugee movement since the Second World War”. “People have opened their hearts to our fellow Europeans,” declared the President of the European Parliament. #Russia #Ukraine #Energy #OIL #Embargo #sanctions #Putin #Germany German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday that the war in Ukraine may not be “a short matter”, but “a longer confrontation”, so unsustainable measures such as an energy embargo against Russia must be avoided. Thus, the current sanctions are designed to inflict the greatest possible damage to the Russian economy while being “bearable” for European countries, he said at a press conference in Berlin with the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola. Scholz noted that Germany is not the only country that depends on Russia for the supply of natural gas or coal, but predicted that if the goal of diversifying energy sources is achieved, the result would be equivalent to enacting an energy embargo against Moscow. “We have to buy energy from friends and not enemies; otherwise we are paying for the war,” said Metsola, who confirmed however that not all European countries are currently in a position to be independent of Russian imports. “The green agenda is no longer addressed only from a climate perspective, but from security,” he said, stressing the importance of achieving “strategic independence” of the European Union (EU) in this regard. Asked about the Polish proposal to exclude Russia from the G20, the German Chancellor stated that it is not a matter that can be decided “individually”, but that it must be put to all members. However, the organization of industrialized and developing countries is currently busy with other issues, he said. “We need direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine that go beyond what we see now,” he argued, and also pointed to the urgency of agreeing “an immediate ceasefire.” Scholz received Metsola, on her first official visit to Berlin as President of the European Parliament, to discuss the issues that will be discussed during the European Council to be held next week in Brussels. Among these, both cited the provision of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, coordination to accommodate refugees fleeing war and rising energy prices. “The unjustifiable Russian invasion has changed everything,” said Metsola, who indicated that we need to go beyond sanctions and demonstrate to Russian President Vladimir Putin “that war will come at a price that cannot be imagined.” The President of the European Parliament also met in Berlin with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Bundestag Vice-President Katrin Göring-Eckardt. Germany on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to energy sanctions on Russia, warning that it could have negative consequences for European economies. Speaking at a joint news conference with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said European countries should carefully asses the suggested measures. “Sanctions should have an effect on the aggressor, but at the same time, we should make sure that they have minimal repercussions for our economies, and we should be able to uphold them,” he said. Scholz underlined that not only Germany, but also many other EU countries still need to buy their gas, oil and coal from Russia, as they have no other alternatives in the short term. “But we have decided to become independent, as soon as possible, from imports of coal, gas and oil from Russia. And we’re working on this at full speed,” he added. The German chancellor said the EU countries have already imposed the “harshest ever sanctions" against Russia last month in response to its attack on Ukraine, with strong economic and financial measures. “And these sanctions have started to show their impact on the Russia’s economy, and it will become more dramatic every day,” he stressed. Scholz renewed his call for Russian President Vladimir Putin to immediately cease all combat operations in Ukraine and withdraw the Russian troops from the country. “A cease-fire is urgently needed to end the inconceivable suffering and destruction,” he said. Russia's war on Ukraine, which began Feb. 24, has drawn international condemnation, led to financial sanctions on Moscow, and spurred an exodus of global firms from Russia. At least 953 civilians have been killed in Ukraine, while more than 1,557 others have been injured, according to UN estimates. Over 3.5 million people have also fled to neighboring countries. https://eudebates.tv/ #eudebates