1. Sixth package of sanctions against Russia


2. Wladimir Klitschko criticizes open letter


3. Merz in Kiev – major attack on steel plant in Mariupol




4. End of liberal abortion rights in the USA?


5. What does Söder say after Mayer's resignation?



6. USA before rate hike


7. Pentathletes go on the barricades




1. Sixth package of sanctions against Russia

Rebecca Boucsein

Editor on duty at FAZ.NET.

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Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present the proposal for a new package of sanctions against Russia in the EU Parliament today.

The question remains as to how a noticeable rise in the price of oil can subsequently be prevented.

Content:

The package is expected to include a phased oil embargo with derogations for Slovakia and Hungary.

According to EU chief diplomat Josep Borrell, the proposal by the European Commission and the Foreign Service will also provide for new sanctions against actors who deliberately spread false information.

In addition, it should contain further sanctions against banks, including the largest Russian bank, Sberbank.

The commission wanted to finalize the proposal by Tuesday evening.

Question:

The member states should agree by the end of the week if possible.

The open question is still how a further noticeable increase in the oil price can be prevented.

It is not only of central importance within the EU.

In this way, Russia could sell its oil at high prices elsewhere and further replenish its war chest.

The country could also use its oil as a geopolitical tool against poorer countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh or India.

Possibilities:

In order to cushion the rise in prices, the EU is working with the USA, among other things, to forge a kind of global purchasing cartel.

The G 7 under the German presidency are also involved.

40 states that support EU and US sanctions against Russia are to join.

The EU is also hoping that the negotiations to revive the nuclear agreement with Iran will still be successful - and that the country will reduce the price pressure with its oil.

more on the subject

2. Wladimir Klitschko criticizes the open letter

Wladimir Klitschko's open letter against arms deliveries, written by German intellectuals, is harsh.

"Blind pacifism is just as dangerous as blissful warmongering".

Answer:

“We will not give up our identity to appease a dictator's murderous madness and outmoded dreams.

And certainly not to please some 'intellectuals' who seem to have lost their sense of reality and reason," writes the brother of Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko in a guest article for the FAZ. And: "The absolute good is not peace, but freedom and justice.

And to defend them you have to fight.”

Commitment:

Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) meanwhile renewed his commitment on Tuesday at the beginning of the cabinet meeting in Meseberg that the German defense budget would permanently increase to more than two percent of economic output.

Scholz also insisted that Germany was supporting Ukraine "on a large scale" with military equipment.

Cabinet meeting:

At the end of the two-day closed conference, Scholz, Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) will answer questions from the media today.

There will also be a regular cabinet meeting. Topics include key points for setting up the Future Center for German Unity and European Transformation and a proposal for the documentation center “World War II and German Occupation in Europe”.