Merz, Macron Push for Secondary Sanctions on Russian Backers

The German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, have called for the implementation of secondary sanctions against Russia. The goal of these sanctions would be to further undermine Russia's war capabilities and increase the pressure on Moscow as the peace efforts initiated by former US President Donald Trump have faltered. The proposed secondary sanctions would target individuals and entities that are supporting Russia's ongoing military campaign in Ukraine. This move is intended to disrupt the flow of resources and financial support that is sustaining Russia's war machine. The leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining a united front against Russian aggression and the need to explore additional measures to cripple Russia's ability to continue its offensive. The article highlights the continued efforts of European leaders to bolster the international response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as they seek to find new ways to hold Russia accountable for its actions and force a resolution to the crisis.