By Andrea Thomas
BERLIN--German Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel called for the
accounts of Russian oligarchs to be frozen as part of tougher
sanctions against Russia over Moscow's handling of the Ukraine
crisis.
"We must hit most of all the oligarchs," Mr. Gabriel told
Germany's weekly magazine Der Spiegel. "We must manage to do this
next week...We must freeze their accounts in European capitals and
recall their entry permits."
Mr. Gabriel, who is also economics and energy minister, said
Russian politics rests on the oligarchs' shoulders. He admitted
that the European economy will probably also be hit indirectly by
the sanctions but he asked which consequences it would have "if
Europe were to stand and watch a civil war and the death of
innocent people out of fear of economic consequences."
His call comes as the European Union plans to impose sanctions
targeting broad sectors of the Russian economy with a decision
about details expected as early as Tuesday.
The West believes Russia isn't doing enough the help
de-escalated the Ukraine crisis. The criticism intensified
following the downing July 17 of a civilian passenger aircraft by
what many said were pro-Russian separatists. The crash killed
almost 300 people.
Write to Andrea Thomas at andrea.thomas@wsj.com