RTTue, 01 Mar 2022 11:48 UTC
© Gonzalo Fuentes/ReutersBruno Le Maire
Bruno Le Maire, France's Minister of the Economy, has pledged that
his country will "wage a total economic and financial war on Russia," outlining how Europe will seek to punish Moscow and President Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking to France Info on Tuesday, the government minister was clear that
sanctions will be "applied" to individuals and entities until "Vladimir Putin returns to better intentions in Ukraine."Stating that
"488 personalities" have been added to the list of individuals currently under European sanctions over the conflict, Le Maire says
France will "target the heart of the Russian system," including Putin and oligarchs, making clear that the
"Russian people will also pay the consequences."
Le Maire claimed:
"The sanctions are effective, the economic and financial sanctions are even extremely effective. Russian foreign exchange reserves are melting like snow in the sun," as the "ruble has collapsed by 30%."
Beyond the sanctions that have already been imposed, Le Maire outlined how
Europe is seeking to move from freezing assets to the seizure of assets, as the European Union (EU) seeks to make sure "no oligarch will slip through the mesh of our nets."While not divulging specific details,
Le Maire floated military concerns across the EU, claiming that, in the wake of "this deliberate aggression," Europe has "become aware of the need to arm itself militarily."The comments from the French minister come after
Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, claimed that Moscow has no plans to occupy Ukraine following last week's military assault on its neighbor. Nebenzia, reiterating Putin's earlier justification for the conflict, said:
"Occupation of Ukraine is not part of our plans. The purpose of this special operation is to protect people, who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for the past eight years. This is why it's necessary to demilitarize and de-nazify Ukraine."
Comment: It's become a feeding frenzy. Come one, come all.
At least one country is showing savvy and grace:
Mexico won't be taking part in the international pile-on to sanction Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, as President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has said he seeks to keep his country on peaceful terms with all nations. He told reporters on Tuesday:
"We are not going to take any sort of economic retaliation because we want to maintain good relations with all the governments of the world." He added that remaining neutral will put Mexico in a position to "talk with the parties in conflict."
The Mexican leader's position on the Ukraine crisis marks a novel diplomatic strategy as other nations around the world - including former Warsaw Pact nations such as Bulgaria and Romania - join the US in trying to punish Russia. Choosing neutrality could strain Mexico's close relationship with Washington, but Lopez Obrador has been critical of US foreign policy.
Even as it tries to avoid alienating its dominant trading partner, the US, Mexico also aims to maintain economic ties with Russia and Moscow's Latin American allies. Russia's Lukoil this year bought into an offshore oil project in Mexico, and Lopez Obrador said on Monday that his country will keep its airspace open for Aeroflot's flights to Mexico City.
Mexican Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco was widely criticized this week for posting a Twitter message offering "warm greetings" to Aeroflot and noting that "tourism is synonymous with peace, friendship and understanding between peoples." He added that Russian tourist visits to Mexico more than doubled last year to over 75,000.
Lopez Obrador criticized censorship of Russian media outlets, including RT, by governments and social media companies.
"I don't agree with the fact that media from Russia or any country is censored."
Comment: It's become a feeding frenzy. Come one, come all. At least one country is showing savvy and grace: