China News Service, February 24. According to foreign media reports, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on the 24th a special military operation against Ukraine's Donbas region, European Commission President von der Leyen said that he would impose "the toughest sanctions ever" on Russia.
Data map: European Commission President Von der Leyen.
Von der Leyen promised to "weak Russia's economic base and modernization capabilities".
"We will freeze Russian assets in the EU and stop Russian banks from accessing European financial markets."
Von der Leyen said she would submit "large-scale and strategic" sanctions against Russia later on the 24th, pending approval.
"These sanctions are designed to seriously damage the interests of the Kremlin and their ability to finance war. We know that millions of Russians do not want war," she said.