President Ursula von der Leyen accused the Kremlin of imposing a "digital iron curtain" on Russian citizens, with the aim of hiding the economic consequences caused by European sanctions due to the war in Ukraine.
During a speech to the European Parliament, von der Leyen said that sanctions imposed by the European Union have severely affected the Russian economy.
"Yes, sanctions are having a devastating effect on the Russian economy," she declared, adding that EU member states are preparing the 20th package of punitive measures against Russia since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
According to her, the consequences of the war are being felt directly by citizens, through rising inflation and interest rates, while the Kremlin, according to her, is responding by restricting internet access and freedom of communication.
"To the point that Russians feel like they are living behind an iron curtain again, a digital iron curtain," von der Leyen said.
She added that history has proven that such barriers do not last forever.
"If history has taught us anything, it is that all walls eventually fall," concluded the European Commission president.
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