European Union foreign ministers discussed the bloc’s efforts to push the Russian economy with sanctions on Monday, including the possibility of additional energy sanctions, but no decisions were made.
“Nothing is on the table, including sanctions against oil and gas,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said after the Luxembourg meeting. “But no decision was made today.”
The EU approved a fifth package of sanctions against Russia last Friday, which includes the first significant ban on imports of Russian coal. However, the bloc remains deeply divided over whether to continue with additional energy import bans, starting with oil.
A senior EU official briefed on Monday’s discussions said there had been little detailed discussion of options on Monday and no progress had been made in narrowing the bloc’s division. A group of countries led by Germany oppose a quick halt to oil imports. Others, led by Poland, are urging the bloc to stop buying Russian energy.
Mr Borel noted the “asymmetric shock” that further energy sanctions would have on some bloc countries that are heavily dependent on Russian oil and gas. “It must be governed by combining unity and solidarity,” he said.
EU officials say it may be several weeks before the European Commission presents a proposal for a new round of sanctions, although the timing will ultimately depend on events in Ukraine.
The foreign ministers met with Luxembourg International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan in Luxembourg on Monday morning to discuss efforts to investigate potential war crimes in Ukraine.
Several member states, including Sweden’s foreign minister, said Monday they were ready to help fund the work of the ICC. Mr Borel also said that the EU’s mission in Ukraine was helping the authorities gather evidence of war crimes. The EU reopened its mission in Kyiv last weekend.
A team of French special police with experience in forensics has already arrived in Ukraine to help investigate war crimes.
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