France hopes EU will present 18th sanctions package against Russia by end of June

According to the outlet, the French minister hopes for a new package of sanctions against Russia this month.

The EU has been actively developing sanctions packages against Russia since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine. Last month, the bloc finalized its 17th package and almost immediately began working on the 18th.

"This morning, France's foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said he hopes the European Commission will present the latest package by the end of this month," the outlet reports.

EU sanctions against Russia

On May 20, the European Union approved its 17th package of sanctions against Russia.

In particular, 189 vessels from third countries were blacklisted, bringing the total number of sanctioned ships to 342. These vessels are part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet and are involved in transporting Russian oil using high-risk shipping practices or supporting Russia's energy sector.

On the same day, the EU began preparing its 18th sanctions package against Russia.

Earlier, leaders of France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and other European countries expressed their readiness to increase pressure on Moscow if it fails to implement a ceasefire or take steps toward a peaceful resolution of the war.