The European Union has said Russia faces unprecedented isolation and its economy will be hit with harshest sanctions ever, over its attack on Ukraine.
EU’s foreign policy Chief, Josep Borrell said this on Thursday as Russia launches military attack on Ukraine borders.
“This is not a question of blocs. This is not a question of diplomatic power games. It is a matter of life and death.
“It is about the future of our global community,” Borell said in a broadcast statement.
According to him, these are among the darkest hours for Europe since the end of World War 2.
He said Russia’s attack on its Neighbour ‘Ukraine’ is the greatest violation of international law and a violation of the basic principles of human coexistence.
He mentioned that Thursday’s EU emergency summit “will agree and set up political guidance to adopt the strongest package, the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented on Russia.”
European Commission Chief, Ursula von der Leyen, also mentioned that new sanctions against Russia will weaken Russia’s economic base and its capacity to modernise.
“The massive sanctions on Russia will target strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking their access to key technologies and markets and freeze Russian assets in the EU.
“We will also stop the access of Russian banks to the European financial market,” he said.
According to her, Russia’s target is not only Ukraine but the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order.
“We will hold President Putin accountable for that,” Ursula von der Leyen said.
Borrell added that the EU was preparing urgent assistance for Ukraine and supporting evacuation operations from the country.
Credit: Daily Times Nigeria