EU will sanction “putin’s propagandists” in latest package – Von der Leyen

In the coming days, the European Commission will present a new 10th sanctions package against russia that launched full-scale military aggression against Ukraine.

The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stated this at a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Von der Leyen first stated that the European Commission would propose a tenth sanctions package in the coming days, applying sanctions to several political and military leaders." She added that the European Union would listen to Ukraine and impose sanctions against russian propagandists.

"We will target putin's propagandists because their lies are poisoning the public space in russia and abroad," she said

In addition, the 10th sanctions package will include new bans on exports worth more than 10 billion euros. According to the President of the European Commission, the new sanctions "will further starve russia's military machine and shake the foundations of its economy."

At the same time, Zelensky called on the EU to introduce sanctions against russian missile and drone manufacturers, the russian nuclear industry, and IT companies that support aggression.

Charles Michel once again emphasized that "the coming weeks and months will be decisive" in the russian-Ukrainian war. "We must remain open-eyed, we must continue to provide maximum level support…Artillery, munitions, defense systems (…) you have told us exactly what you need and what you need now," Michel said.

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The day before, Volodymyr Zelensky made an unannounced visit to London, where he made a speech at Westminster Hall before members of the British Parliament, met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and King Charles III, and visited the Ukrainian military at training.

On the evening of February 8, Zelensky went to Paris, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Zelensky called o partners to provide Ukraine with heavy weapons and aircraft as soon as possible.

In addition, Macron awarded the President of Ukraine with the Legion of Honor, the highest honor in France awarded by the President for military or civilian merit. 

On the morning of February 9, Zelensky and Macron arrived in Brussels, where the EU summit is taking place on February 9-10.