“They agreed on the importance of coordinated sanctions measures on Russia for its continued transfer of arms, equipment, and fighters into eastern Ukraine, including since the crash,” a statement from the White House stated after the call.
Advertisement
Although the United States has long pushed for broader sanctions against whole sectors of the Russian economy, European leaders were reluctant until now.
British Prime Minister David Cameron said in a statement that the leaders agreed that “ambassadors from across the EU should agree [to] a strong package of sectoral sanctions as swiftly as possible.”
EU leaders could announce new sanctions as early as Tuesday, July 29, when they meet. The United States often follows EU moves with measures of its own.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member