Agency Report –
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said on Thursday Russia would face consequences for its ongoing attacks on Ukraine, after overnight strikes on the capital killed at least 14.
“We learned in a terrible way how Russia attacked and bombed Kiev again, civilians died, children died and the European Union’s delegation was also attacked,” Wadephul said during a meeting with his Estonian counterpart Margus Tsahkna in the capital Tallinn.
“This cannot remain without consequences,” Wadephul added.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced new punitive measures on Russia after the attack, telling journalists in Brussels: “We will come forward soon with our 19th package of hard-biting sanctions.”
“In parallel, we are advancing the work on the Russian frozen assets to contribute to Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction,” she said.
Estonia is also calling for frozen Russian assets to be mobilized to support Ukraine, and the issue is set to be discussed at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Saturday in Copenhagen.
Wadephul, however, was more cautious. “There are difficult legal questions to be clarified, but also implications for financial market stability,” he said.
The assets have been frozen and profits from them are being skimmed off, according to Wadephul. “From Germany’s point of view, that has already been the decisive step, because we have thus deprived Russia of the ability to dispose of these financial resources,” he said, adding that further discussions in this context must now be held.
Given that Moscow has not sufficiently acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s considerable diplomatic efforts to end the war, Wadephul said he assumes Washington is also seriously considering further sanctions.
