The Italian government said on Tuesday (19) that the United States and the European Union have reached a “broad consensus” on the need to increase pressure on Russia, particularly through “new sanctions”.
The note added that the Allies also agreed on the need to “enhance Moscow’s international isolation”.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the announcement. “We will further strengthen our sanctions against Russia and intensify financial and security assistance to Ukraine,” he tweeted.
The decision was taken during a videoconferencing meeting between the President Joe Biden and the major American ally, devoted to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Videoconferencing brought together the leaders of France, Emmanuel Macron; from the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson; from Germany, Olaf Scholz; from Romania, Klaus Iohannes; Poland, Andrzej Duda; Italy, Mario Draghi; Canada, Justin Trudeau; and Japan, Fumio Kishida.
European Council President von der Leyen, Charles Michel and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also participated.
In a statement, Stoltenberg confirmed that participants had reached a consensus on “the importance of paying Russia even more” for the invasion of Ukraine.
The Italian government also highlighted that it reaffirmed “a mutual commitment to diversify energy sources, thus reducing dependence on Russian supplies”.
Casa Blanca spokeswoman Jane Psaki said participants discussed “coordinated efforts to continue inflicting significant economic costs on Russia” for their actions.
The increase in sanctions has been announced amid a new phase of Russian offensive against Ukraine in the Donbass region (east).
Pro-Moscow separatists have controlled parts of the Donbass in the two self-declared republics in Donetsk and Luhansk provinces since 2014.
