The European Commission has said that it is working on” new ways to increase pressure” on Russian leader Vladimir Putin. This is how they responded to journalists’ questions about the work on the next, 20th package of sanctions, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expecting within a month.
At the same time, the European Commission refused to specify what exactly could be included in the potential package.
Working on sanctions against Russia in the European Commission also confirmed in the context of the latest attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
“Putin continues to terrorise Ukrainians again… we are constantly working on sanctions, on support for Ukraine in the energy sector, on military assistance to it, and we continue our work with partner countries in terms of mobilising further support,” Hyper said.
In a video message on 9 November, the Ukrainian president said that “together with partners in the European Union” preparations continue on the next, 20th package of sanctions. Zelensky expects to fill its content within a month and proposes to add there Russian individuals and companies “who are still earning on energy resources, and there will also be a software update to the kidnappers of Ukrainian children”.
On 23 October, the European Union finally approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia. The measures target Russia’s main sources of revenue through energy, financial and trade restrictions and should weaken its ability to wage war against Ukraine. In particular, the sanctions package includes a gradual ban on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports – after six months for short-term contracts and from 1 January 2027 for long-term contracts.
Following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the US and other Western countries imposed a series of sanctions against Russia aimed at reducing Moscow’s ability to wage war by cutting off access to Western technology.
However, Russia continues to find ways to circumvent the sanctions and has been able to obtain foreign components.