EU Commission approves 19th sanctions package against Russia
Photo: The EU is preparing the 19th package of sanctions against Russia (Getty Images)
The European Commission has approved a new 19th package of sanctions against Russia. Details will be announced later, The Guardian reports.
According to the EU Commission’s Chief Spokesperson Paula Pinho, President Ursula von der Leyen and Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas will provide details in a press release to be published later today.
The package must be approved by the EU Council, after which the decision will be adopted.
Sanctions against Russia
The EU has approved 18 packages of sanctions against Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The European Commission had planned to present the new, 19th package of sanctions on September 16. However, pressure from Donald Trump, who is demanding more decisive steps from Europe in exchange for supporting American sanctions, complicated the process in Brussels.
After a phone call with President Donald Trump, Ursula von der Leyen stated that the package would target banks, the energy sector, and the cryptocurrency sector.
The US insists that G7 countries impose tariffs of up to 100% against China and India for purchasing Russian oil. Washington believes this should push Vladimir Putin toward negotiations with Kyiv. However, such a request may face resistance in European capitals.
According to Kaja Kallas, the EU is finalizing work on the 19th package of sanctions, considering additional restrictions on Russian oil sales, shadow oil tankers, and banks.
