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The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that European pressure on Moscow will continue until Russia ends its war in Ukraine. She commented on the bloc’s 19th sanctions package on social media, Ukrinform reports.
- Focus on war funding: Kallas stated that revenues from Russian energy sales fuel the war, and the EU aims to cut these off. The new sanctions target 118 vessels identified as part of Russia’s shadow fleet and ban their insurance and reinsurance.
- Expansion of export restrictions: The EU will strengthen export controls on chemicals, metals, salts, and ores, as well as on Russian enterprises and those in China and India supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex.
- Financial measures: Actions will target Russian schemes to bypass sanctions, including through cryptocurrencies and the MIR credit card system. “We aim to strike where Russia earns its money,” Kallas stressed.
- Industrial and military supply: The sanctions seek to stop supplies to the Russian defense sector, preventing it from fueling its war machine. New industrial actors contributing to Russia’s revenue have been added to the list.
- Humanitarian concerns: Kallas also addressed the abduction of Ukrainian children, calling it unacceptable and announcing measures to simplify sanctions against those involved in deportations and ideological re-education.
The sanctions complement EU plans to gradually phase out Russian liquefied natural gas by January 1, 2027, and reinforce penalties against entities attempting to help Russia evade existing measures.
