If Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, we will have to continue with the sanctions and target them on Russia's financial and oil sectors, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said today, quoted by Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
"What was said yesterday by European leaders is that if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire, we will have to do more in the new sanctions package and target the financial and oil sectors, as the Americans are preparing to do," Barrot said in an interview with "France Info" and "Monde".
Yesterday, Ukraine and its European allies, along with the United States, issued an ultimatum to Moscow to accept a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, starting on Monday, otherwise Russia will face new "massive sanctions".
"Vladimir Putin is increasingly cornered and will have to take steps towards peace, because the pressure will only increase", the French foreign minister said.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions. We propose that they begin on Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul", the Russian president said late at night in the Kremlin.
Thus, he effectively postponed any possibility of establishing the ceasefire requested by Kiev's allies from tomorrow, AFP notes.