EU, US Ready New Energy and Financial Sanctions on Russia, Say French, Latvian Ministers at NATO Antalya Meeting

European Union officials and allied Western ministers have emphasized the need for a new sanctions package targeting Russia to pressure President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that the United States and Europe are prepared to impose sanctions specifically on Russia's energy and financial sectors. EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell Kallas expressed skepticism about Russia's genuine interest in peace, suggesting Moscow is playing for time. Similarly, Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braže, speaking at a NATO informal foreign ministers meeting in Antalya, Turkey, said there are no indications that Russia wants peace in Ukraine and advocated for weakening Russia's military capabilities as the most cost-effective path to peace. These statements reflect a coordinated Western stance aiming to intensify economic pressure on Russia amid ongoing conflict.