EU delays 19th sanctions package against Russia, Politico reports
Photo: New sanctions against Russia postponed indefinitely (Getty Images)
The European Commission may not present the 19th package of sanctions against Russia on the scheduled date of September 17 as it has been removed from the agenda for now, reports Politico, citing an anonymous EU diplomat.
“The next sanctions package against Russia — the 19th since Moscow began its war against Ukraine — is no longer expected to be presented on Wednesday, an EU diplomat and a national official told my colleague Camille Gijs. It’s fallen off the Coreper II agenda,” Politico writes.
A spokesperson for the European Commission declined to comment on when the next package of sanctions would be presented.
The media also notes that the EC's decision is related to the fact that US President Donald Trump and the EU are increasing pressure on Slovakia and Hungary to reduce their dependence on Russian oil.
Sanctions against Russia
It was expected that on September 17, the European Commission would present the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, which, as is known, is primarily aimed at restricting the country's energy sector.
Specifically, the sanctions would hit Russia's shadow fleet and banking system, and it would be more difficult for Moscow to sell oil.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on more than 2,500 individuals and legal entities from Russia, including the country's leadership, high-ranking officials, businessmen and oligarchs, propagandists, as well as employees and companies in the military, space, chemical, and energy sectors.
Sanctions against Russia are extended in the EU every six months, requiring a unanimous decision by all 27 member states.
According to European Union estimates, Russia has lost $450 billion since 2022 as a result of international sanctions.
