Sweden’s foreign minister urges EU to strengthen sanctions against Russia
Photo: Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (Getty Images)
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard has called on the EU to strengthen sanctions against Russia and include new restrictions in the 20th sanctions package over the war against Ukraine, the appeal was published by Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard on Twitter (X).
In a letter addressed to the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, Stenergard stressed that sanctions pressure remains one of the key tools for influencing the Kremlin.
According to her, the existing restrictions, including those targeting Russia’s energy sector and the so-called shadow fleet, have already led to a significant reduction in Russia’s revenues used to finance the war against Ukraine.
At the same time, the minister urged the European Union to go further and expand sanctions. Among the proposed steps are tighter oversight to prevent circumvention of restrictions and the introduction of a full ban on providing maritime services to vessels transporting Russian energy resources.
Stenergard also emphasized the importance of unity among EU member states on sanctions and noted that the new package of restrictions should be aimed at maximally weakening Russia’s economic capacity to continue the war.
We need to continue to put more pressure on Russia. pic.twitter.com/iS143GpK0B
— Maria M Stenergard (@MariaStenergard) January 12, 2026
It was recently reported that EU countries plan to approve the 20th package of sanctions against Russia by the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
EU sanctions against Russia
The first sanctions were imposed back in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea, but they were significantly expanded in 2022 following the full-scale invasion.
Overall, since February 24, 2022, the EU has adopted 19 sanctions packages in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In October 2025, the EU officially approved the 19th package of sanctions against Russia. The restrictions were aimed at reducing the Kremlin’s revenues and preventing sanctions circumvention through third countries, as well as targeting the so-called shadow fleet.
In addition, on December 15, it became known that the European Council imposed new sanctions on nine individuals and entities that facilitate the operation of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.
