Gathered in London, Europeans evoke new sanctions against Russia – Liberation

They may know – experience! – that a post by Donald Trump on social networks can send everything waltz, European leaders want to appear firm. At the end of the morning on Monday, May 12, the German government came out the watch, threatening Russia with new sanctions If it did not accept the American offer of a ceasefire before Monday evening.

It was the limit that Europeans had established During the visit to Kyiv on Saturday. « Putin didn’t need conditions when he wanted a cease-fire to organize a parade. He doesn’t need it now ”, warned British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. But Donald Trump broke out the deadline the next day saying that the Russian and Ukrainian presidents had to meet to talk about peace.

The deadline on Monday evening is not in the final press release from the countries of Weimar + which met in London this Monday. « Until now, Russia has not shown a serious intention to do progress Negotiations. She must do it without delay ”, We read more soberly. This group of nations, brought together for the sixth time, includes the Weimar triangle (France, Germany, Poland) extended to Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the European Commission.

Created in February, he must respond to Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, who had decided that peace negotiations would be without Europe – and without Ukraine. For this meeting, Keir Starmer also wanted to demonstrate that the United Kingdom was firmly anchored to Europe on the question of Ukraine.

Because the objective of this meeting was also to reaffirm joint efforts for Euroatlantic security. « European countries must play an even more important role in ensuring our own security », said the press release. The meeting concluded on the usual commitments: strengthening Ukrainian capacities, and threatening Moscow new sanctions. But without peace agreement, the promise « To study the creation of a coalition of air, land and sea reinsurance forces » sounds hollow.

The meeting in Lancaster House shows above all how much Europeans are dependent on the wind that Donald Trump blows … and they must say thank you too. They greeted « The peace efforts by the United States and the prospect of new talks this week ».