Robin Emmott and Sabine Siebold

BRUSSELS (Reuters), -EU foreign, defence, and ministers will meet Monday to discuss imposing more sanctions on Moscow. They are particularly interested in introducing an oil embargo.

To force the Russian military to withdraw from Ukraine, the European Union (and its Western allies) have already placed a variety of sanctions on Russia. This includes freezing Russian assets and the blocking of the Russian central banks.

European leaders are under increasing pressure to tighten their sanctions against Moscow because of the humanitarian crisis that has erupted in Mariupol. Residents have been left without food, water, or power.

Gabrielius Landsbergis from Lithuania, the Foreign Minister of Lithuania said at his arrival in Brussels that “it’s inevitable we start talking about energy sector”

His words were clear: The West’s credibility was in danger

He stated, “We can’t get tired of imposing sanctions. We cannot stop bringing aid and assistance to Ukraine.”

On Thursday, Joe Biden, President of the United States, arrives in Brussels to meet with NATO’s 30 Allies and the EU. He will also be participating in summits in Group of Seven (G7) form, which includes Japan. This format is designed to strengthen the West’s reaction to Moscow.

The four EU rounds of sanctions placed on Ukraine over the last three weeks have not led to any change in course by the Kremlin, which includes 685 Russians or Belarusians, as well on Russian finance/trade and Russian finance.

The fifth round of sanctions could see more people added to EU blacklists. Given the dependence of 27 EU member nations on Russian gas, the most economically difficult decision to make is whether or not to attack Russian oil.

Reuters was told by diplomats that the Baltic states, including Lithuania, are calling for an embargo. Germany warns against too rapid action due to Europe’s high energy prices.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 24. Putin called Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a “special operation”, referring to Russia’s efforts to demilitarize Ukraine, and expel any nationalists he considers dangerous. These are pretexts to an aggressive war, according to the West and Ukraine.

France SAYS “NO TABOOS” ON SANCTIONS

Diplomats believe that a Russian attack on Ukraine with chemical weapons or heavy bombardment in Kyiv could trigger an energy embargo.

Moscow has already warned the EU that sanctions against Russia could cause it to shut down a pipeline from Europe to Russian oil.

The EU is currently divided over how to address the energy problem. Russia provides 40% of EU’s gas and Germany is the largest dependent economy.

France could play a crucial role in the EU’s six month presidency.

President Emmanuel Macron stated that sanctions should not be used if Ukraine’s situation gets worse – with thousands of people killed and millions displaced, as well as some cities being destroyed by shelling.

A “strategic Compass” will be discussed by the Defence Ministers. This is the closest that the EU could have to a Military Doctrine, in order to adjust to the new geopolitical reality.