© AP Photo/Adam Schreck
BERLIN, April 17./TASS/. President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen told Bild am Sonntag newspaper that the European Union was considering measures against the banking sector, in particular, Sberbank, as well as restrictions in the energy sector in discussing further sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.
"We continue to consider the banking sector, specifically Sberbank, which accounts for 37% of Russia’s banking sector. And of course, the energy sector is discussed," the European Commission chief said on Sunday, in comments on the key points of the sixth package of sanctions against Russia.
The European Union is currently developing ‘smart mechanisms’ that will allow oil to be included in the next package of sanctions against Russia, she stressed.
Ursula von der Leyen dismissed criticism against the German government, accused of ‘stalling’ the anti-Russian sanctions. Germany has for many years supported Ukraine and approved all five sanction packages within 48 hours, she stressed.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for help by the heads of the Donbass republics. He stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories, but aimed to demilitarize and denazify the country. Following this step, the West imposed large-scale sanctions against Russia. On March 3, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that these Western steps were "a kind of tax on independence." He said he was sure "this hysteria will soon subside" and a solution to the situation around Ukraine will be found.
