EU foreign ministers met at Wicklow with a 1,600-name Russia sanctions draft ready
EU foreign ministers met informally in the Gymnich format in Wicklow, Ireland, on Wednesday and promised joint resistance to hybrid attacks. High Representative Kaja Kallas said a draft list of 1,600 individuals and entities tied to Russia's military complex is already in the pipeline and that more may be added. The gathering followed Germany formally holding Russia responsible the day before for the drone at Leipzig airport. The Gymnich format has no power to adopt sanctions.
Geopolitics··Evening
A draft list of 1,600 names is already in the pipeline at Wicklow
High Representative Kaja Kallas said at Wednesday's informal Gymnich meeting in Wicklow, Ireland, that a draft list of 1,600 individuals and entities tied to Russia's military complex is already in the pipeline and that more may be added. Ministers from Ukraine, Canada, Switzerland and the United Kingdom joined the format, which has no power to adopt sanctions. The ministers gathered at Druids Glen in Wicklow, and Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha was there too. The meeting followed Germany formally holding Russia responsible the day before for the drone at Leipzig airport.[1], [2]
From the drone that failed to detonate at Leipzig to a summoned Russian ambassador
A drone carrying an explosive device was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport on 4 August but failed to detonate, and the German government concluded that Russia was responsible. Kaja Kallas, speaking in Wicklow on Wednesday morning, said it is clear that the incident has all the hallmarks of state sponsored terrorism, that the EU has already summoned the Russian ambassador and that many member states have done the same. She added that there is definitely a need to further discuss additional sanctions and called the incident a wake up call for some member states. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described the Leipzig operation as part of a long series of destabilisation operations against Europe. Ireland's Foreign Minister Helen McEntee said she stands in full solidarity with Germany and with all member states affected by Russia's reckless and increasingly frequent hybrid attacks, that Russia is attempting to divide the EU and weaken support for Ukraine, and that Ireland stands ready to work closely with EU partners to prevent, deter and respond to this activity.[1], [2]
The question of immobilised Russian assets returned to the table
Sweden, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands pushed to reopen the question of using immobilised Russian sovereign assets to fund Ukraine. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen stressed that Europe needs to support Ukraine ahead of the winter. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Russia had quadrupled attacks against his country in the last year and that this would not stop Lithuanian support for Ukraine. British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband said his government stands in full solidarity with Germany and Ukraine. The ministers promised joint resistance to hybrid attacks.[1]
