Brussels, 12 February 2022
Björn Seibert, Head of Cabinet of President von der Leyen, had a discussion last night with US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on the evolution of the situation in Ukraine.
They coordinated on transatlantic preparations of a robust package of sanctions, which would be deployed swiftly in case of further military aggression of Russia in Ukraine. They also discussed concrete steps to support the Ukrainian economy.
Moreover, they exchanged views on the EU-US Strategic Partnership on Energy Security and the additional steps that will be taken to prepare for any future disruption of energy supplies to Europe. Energy cooperation between the EU and the US is intensifying, in accordance with the Joint Statement by Presidents Joe Biden and Ursula von der Leyen, and following the US-EU Energy Council, which took place in Washington DC last week.
They also agreed to step up the joint work on the COVID-19 pandemic and global health security, as well as on the global economic recovery and partnership on international infrastructure development through Global Gateway and the Build Back Better World initiative.