The 18th package of sanctions against Russia will be presented tomorrow, - Merz

The European Union will introduce a new, 18th package of sanctions against Russia tomorrow, June 26. Thus, a program is being implemented to pressure the Kremlin into peace negotiations in Ukraine.

This is reported with reference to a statement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at a press conference after the NATO summit in The Hague.

Merz stated that to end the war in Ukraine, there is a need to significantly increase economic pressure on Russia. He urged the U.S. to join Europe in this matter.

"The European Union is working on this, and tomorrow, finally, the 18th package of sanctions will be launched. But this package alone is not enough; we need more active U.S. participation in the sanctions," emphasized the chancellor.

Merz also said that the U.S. Senate will vote in the coming days on the "Graham Bill," which includes sanctions against buyers of Russian energy resources.

According to the chancellor, during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the summit in The Hague, he personally asked him to approve new restrictions against the Kremlin. In Merz’s view, economic pressure remains the only option to force Russia to peace, as achieving this goal by military means is impossible.

"There is no military solution to this conflict," the chancellor stressed.