The United States and the European Union had reached a “broad consensus” on the need to increase pressure on Russia, particularly through “new sanctions,” the Italian government said on Tuesday (19).
The allied countries also agreed on the need to “strengthen Moscow’s international isolation,” the note said.
The announcement was confirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “We will continue to strengthen our sanctions against Russia and increase financial and security assistance to Ukraine,” he tweeted.
The decision was made during a video conference between President Joe Biden and key US allies dedicated to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The video conference brought together the leaders of France, Emmanuel Macron; from the UK, Boris Johnson; from Germany Olaf Scholz; from Romania, Klaus Iohannis; Poland, Andrzej Duda; Italy, Mario Draghi; Canada, Justin Trudeau; and Japan, Fumio Kishida.
Von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel and NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg also attended.
In a statement, Stoltenberg confirmed that the participants had reached a consensus on “the importance of making Russia pay even more dearly for invading Ukraine.”
The Italian government also stressed that “the mutual commitment to diversify energy sources and thereby reduce dependence on Russian supplies” was reaffirmed.
Casa Blanca spokeswoman Jen Psaki said attendees discussed “coordinated efforts to continue to impose significant economic costs on Russia to be paid for its actions.”
The increase in sanctions is announced amid a new phase of Russia’s offensive against Ukraine in the Donbass region (east).
ProMoscow separatists have controlled parts of the Donbass in two selfproclaimed republics in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces since 2014.