At a meeting of European Union (EU) foreign ministers in Luxembourg, an agreement was reached on the need to increase sanctions pressure on Russia.
This was stated by the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, at a press conference following the results of the meeting.
“The twentieth sanctions package has been delayed for too long. I hope we will be able to act quickly, given the renewed political momentum,” she said.
Kallas also confirmed that, in addition to accelerating the adoption of the 20th sanctions package against Russia, ministers have already proposed starting work on the 21st package.
She said that the EU’s approach to sanctions policy has also changed. Instead of large packages adopted on rare occasions, Brussels has now moved to a more flexible model—for example, restrictions against Russia’s “shadow fleet” are imposed as new vessels are identified. In addition, the EU’s top diplomat noted that additional measures are being adopted against individuals involved in disinformation campaigns within the bloc.
Kallas emphasized that limiting Russia’s energy revenues remains a key element of the strategy:
“What really affects the Russian economy are measures against oil, because it is the main source of revenue to wage war (against Ukraine). Overall, the EU aims not only to expand sanctions lists, but also to return to previously blocked initiatives to intensify economic and political pressure on Moscow.”
