In addition to including Sverbank, the largest Russian bank, among those affected by the punitive measures, the EU will discuss a possible embargo on the purchase of energy from Russia, something that specialists here warn would be catastrophic for the economy of that bloc.

Experts affirm that the United States, whose Congress approved suspending the acquisition of Russian oil, promotes among European nations the option of cutting off the purchase of energy from the Eurasian giant, while presenting itself as an alternative for the supply of liquefied gas.

Czech authorities acknowledge their dependence on natural gas from Russia, where they purchase almost all of that fuel.

On February 24, President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military operation in Ukraine, after which the EU, the United States and other Western powers applied severe punitive measures against Russia in almost all sectors of the economy.

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