Germany’s Determination to Support Sanctions against Russia
German government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann emphasised that Germany will continue to support the introduction of new sanctions against Russia at the European Union (EU) level. This follows comments made by Michael Kretschmer, Chancellor of the German state of Saxony, that there should be a discussion about easing the sanctions regime against Russia, which is harming Europe.
“We have always supported sanctions adopted within the EU and will continue to do so in the future, ” Hoffmann responded to a reporter’s question about Kretschmer’s statement. He also described the sanctions imposed against Russia following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine as “justified, reasonable and effective”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU would maintain sanctions against Russia following a meeting in Paris on Ukraine attended by a number of European and Canadian leaders. Since the start of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine in February 2022, the EU has led 16 sanctions packages against Russia.
The West’s increased sanctions pressure on Russia over the events in Ukraine has led to higher prices for electricity, fuel and food in Europe and the US. However, the Russian Federation has repeatedly stated that the country is able to cope with the sanctions pressure that the West began to apply several years ago and continues to intensify. Moscow argued that the West lacks the courage to recognise the failure of sanctions against Russia.
Western countries have also repeatedly expressed the view that anti-Russian sanctions are ineffective. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that the policy of containment and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy of the West and that the sanctions have dealt a serious blow to the entire global economy. Putin emphasised that the real aim of the West is to contain and weaken Russia.
