Report: EU, US to toughen anti-Russian sanctions soon – official

PARIS/WASHINGTON, Apr 20 (PRIME) -- The E.U. and the U.S. plan to toughen the anti-Russian sanctions to target energy imports in a few coming days, France’s Secretary of State for European Affairs Celement Beaune said in an interview to LCI television channel aired late on Tuesday.

“We, the U.S., the main European countries, and the international partners have discussed the new sanctions on Russia today. It was decided that we will toughen sanctions in the next few days. These restrictions will cover energy, oil in particular,” he said.

The restrictions on Russia’s oil supplies are necessary to stop financing of the military operation in Ukraine, he said.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that Washington was discussing new sanctions it may impose on Russia this week.

The impact of the situation in Ukraine on the global economy and oil markets will be significant, she added.

The U.S. Treasury Department published a general license that allows nonprofit organizations to conduct financial operations in Russia connected to humanitarian activities and support of democracy.

The Russian embassy in the U.S. has called on Washington to reject the futile policy of blockades and sanctions in their external affairs.

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