Read-out of the meeting between President von der Leyen and US Senator Lindsey Graham

This morning in Berlin, President von der Leyen met with US Senator Lindsey Graham to discuss EU-US coordination on sanctions in response to Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.

The President made the objective clear: we need a real ceasefire, we need Russia at the negotiating table, and we need to end this war. Pressure works, as the Kremlin understands nothing else. This is why the President welcomed that Senator Graham committed to ramping up pressure on Russia and moving ahead with the bill in Senate next week.

The EU is preparing its 18th package of hard-biting sanctions, targeting Russia's energy revenues, including Nord Stream infrastructure, Russia's banking sector and lowering the crude oil price cap.

These steps, taken together with US measures, would sharply increase the joint impact of our sanctions, said President von der Leyen.

Combined with actions targeting Russia's shadow fleet limiting Russia's ability to transport its oil, it's an effective measure to dry up the Kremlin's resources to wage the war.

President von der Leyen and Senator Graham also discussed the issue of 20,000 abducted Ukrainian children and possible further pressure on Russia.

On the tariff dispute, both sides agreed that a negotiated solution before the end of the 90 days period would be the best scenario.