EU sanctions: Necessary, effective and timely

This week the European Union imposed further sanctions on Russia.  This decision followed months of destabilization of Ukraine by Russia, and months of political and diplomatic efforts to restore peace and stability.

The EU did not take this step lightly.  But we decided collectively that we cannot stand by, while President Putin tramples over international law and the rights of a sovereign neighbor.  We cannot ignore the deaths and destruction that Russia’s actions have led to on our shared continent.