Putin, in calling for new negotiations, is counting on Trump to pause sanctions and pressure Ukraine. This is the sole purpose of the meeting in Alaska, and once again Trump has fallen for the same old bait. While Trump delays new sanctions in the hope of striking a deal with
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dictator Putin, the EU is already working on a new sanctions package that could be introduced as early as September. During the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in the “Gymnich” format on August 29–30 in Copenhagen—an event traditionally held every six months by the
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presiding EU member state—the 19th package of sanctions against Russia will be discussed at the ministerial level for the first time. This was revealed, under condition of anonymity, by a diplomat from one of the EU member states in Brussels who is familiar with the planned
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agenda. “During the informal Gymnich meeting in Copenhagen at the end of August, the foreign ministers will discuss a new package of sanctions against the Russian Federation,” the diplomat said. He specified that the meeting agenda will include a separate item dedicated to
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“increasing pressure on Russia, in particular through sanctions and countering Russia’s shadow fleet.” “The European Commission, and in particular the European External Action Service, is currently working on the draft of the 19th sanctions package,” the source told.
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The Gymnich meeting is an informal gathering of the foreign ministers of EU member states, held every six months in line with the rotating EU Council presidency since 1974. Ministers hold frank, closed-door discussions without the presence of aides.
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The meeting format takes its name from the first such event, which took place at Gymnich Castle in Germany.
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