German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that a new sanctions package against Russia could be approved by the European Council during the meeting scheduled in Brussels on May 20, according to Merz’s Twitter account (X).
According to the head of the German government, the sanctions package "is already ready."
The German chancellor also commented on the situation with negotiations in Türkiye between Ukraine and Russia, following recent statements by Vladimir Putin about Moscow's alleged readiness. However, after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to the initiative, the Kremlin leader refused a meeting at the leaders' level.
Merz noted in his social media post that "the fact that President Zelenskyy went to Istanbul despite this is a huge gesture."
Meanwhile, the German chancellor added that Putin "did not show up - and that made him the only one in the wrong."
"The new sanctions package is ready. We will decide on it Tuesday in Brussels," Merz said.
