The EU has to hit Russia with a new round of sanctions and will not consider raising -until Russian forces are withdrawing from Ukraine

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Thursday that the European Union is preparing to reach Russia with a 17th round of sanctions, describing President Vladimir Putin as the only “only obstacle” to Peace in Ukraine.

The block of 27 nations has imposed unprecedented penalties on Russia in response to its invasion, saying that this year it would not lift sanctions before the withdrawal of Putin’s Putin forces.

“Europeans will accompany this North -American initiative (sanctions) with a 17th package of sanctions and committed to (North Senator -American) Lindsey Graham that we would try to coordinate both the substance and the calendar of these two sanctions packages,” Barrot told AFP in an interview.

Graham has gathered dozens of legislators on the two parties to support a plan to impose additional sanctions on Moscow, as well as tariffs in Russian countries, reported the Wall Street Journal.

Barrot aimed at Russia’s president during the interview, saying: “It is clear now that the only obstacle to peace today in Ukraine is Vladimir Putin.”

The Moscow forces launched a total invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to try to take advantage of the control that Kiev thwarted with the help of international assistance provided mainly by the United States and the countries of Europe.

Ukraine “accepted an unconditional fire and yesterday agreed to conclude an agreement on critical minerals with the United States,” said Barrot.

This, “according to the statements of Ukrainian officials, corresponded to the expectations of Ukraine to participate in economic cooperation with the United States, but also with other countries,” he said.

Russia made any effort ”

“In the meantime, Russia of Vladimir Putin has not made an effort, it has not sent a sign that is ready for the cessation of the fire or peace to which President Donald Trump aspires and that Europeans and, of course, the Ukrainians they aspire to,” said Barrot.

The French minister did not rule out the possibility of France, who said he has “experience” in rare earth minerals, he could also conclude an economic agreement with Ukraine.

Washington’s treatment with Kiev would see that the United States and Ukraine will develop and invest in the country’s critical mineral resources with war.

Ukraine hopes that the agreement will end up opening the way for security guarantees in the United States, as it seeks to safeguard against future Russian attacks.

Barrot spoke to AFP shortly after meeting with his north -American counterpart Marco Rubio and said he welcomed his Frank conversations.

“We had a non -filtered exchange that allowed us to coordinate closely, but also to recognize the convergence of our goals in regional and international crises, as we want to act in concert,” said the French minister.

Barrot and Rubio met “to move on the way to peace in Ukraine,” said State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce.

“The Secretary made it clear that President Trump focuses on stopping the nonsense blood spill in Ukraine and stated a US commitment to work closely with France and other European partners for lasting peace,” he added.

For Barrot, “this is a decisive time for Europe”.

He said that French President Emmanuel Macron has been asking for years for European strategic autonomy and “a European pillar for NATO”.

On Washington’s rates, Barrot requested “de -escalation so that we can return to the situation that precedes the decisions made by the Trump administration in both the United States and Europe.”

This story originally presented to Fortune.com

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