The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, said Thursday that the European Union was preparing to strike Russia with a 17th cycle of sanctions, describing President Vladimir Putin as the “only obstacle” to peace in Ukraine.
The block of 27 countries has imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion, and said that this year would not raise the sanctions before the “unconditional” withdrawal from Putin from the forces of Ukraine.
“We, the Europeans, accompany this American initiative (sanctions) with a 17th package of sanctions and I signed up yesterday at (American senator) Lindsey Graham that we are trying to coordinate both the substance and the schedule of these two packets of sanctions,” Barrot told AFP in an interview.
Graham has joined dozens of legislators from both parties to support a plan to impose additional sanctions in Moscow as well as prices in countries that buy Russian energy, Wall Street Journal reported.
Barrot targeted the Russian president during the interview, saying: “It is now clear that the only obstacle to peace today in Ukraine is Vladimir Putin.”
The forces of Moscow launched a total invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in order to take control that Kyiv thwarted with the aid of international assistance provided mainly by the United States and the European countries.
Ukraine “accepted an unconditional cease-fire and yesterday, he agreed to conclude an agreement on critical minerals with the United States,” said Barrot.
This, according to the statements of Ukrainian officials, corresponds to Ukraine’s expectations to engage in economic cooperation with the United States, but also with other countries, “he said.
Russia “made no effort”
“Meanwhile, Russia by Vladimir Putin has made no effort, has not gone as if it was ready for the ceasefire or the peace to which President Donald Trump sucks and that Europeans and of course Ukrainians aspire,” said Barrot.
The French Minister has not excluded the possibility that France, which, according to him, has “expertise” in minerals of rare earths, can also conclude an economic agreement with Ukraine.
The Washington agreement with kyiv would see the United States and Ukraine developing jointly and investing in critical mineral resources in the country struck by the war.
Ukraine hopes that the agreement will eventually pave the way for security guarantees in the United States, while seeking to protect itself from future Russian attacks.
Barrot spoke to AFP shortly after meeting his American counterpart Marco Rubio and said that he had welcomed their frank talks.
“We had an unwavered exchange which allowed us to coordinate closely, but also to recognize the convergence of our objectives on regional and international crises, because we want to act in concert,” said the French Minister.
Barrot and Rubio met “to advance the path of peace in Ukraine,” said spokesperson for the State Department, Tammy Bruce.
“The secretary clearly indicated that President Trump focused on stopping insane bloodshaw in Ukraine and has confirmed an American commitment to work closely with France and other European partners to guarantee lasting peace,” she added.
For Barrot, “it’s a decisive moment for Europe.”
He noted that French President Emmanuel Macron has been calling for years for European strategic autonomy and “a European pillar for NATO”.
On the prices imposed by Washington, Barrot called for an “de-escalation so that we can return to the situation preceding the decisions taken by the Trump administration in the interest of the United States and Europe”.
This story was initially presented on Fortune.com
