Ukraine and EU plan another blow to Russia's economy - Zelenskyy's office
Photo: Ukraine and the EU have concluded that the 19th package of sanctions will not be sufficient (Getty Images)
Representatives of the EU and Ukraine are already discussing the next package of sanctions against Russia—the 20th—as they understand that the previous restrictions will not be enough, according to Vladislav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian President's representative on sanctions policy.
"We understand that even this package of sanctions (the 19th - ed.) will not be enough, and accordingly, we are already starting to talk about the 20th package of sanctions," Vlasiuk says.
The EU may approve the 19th package of sanctions against Moscow in the coming weeks.
EU sanctions against Russia
The European Commission announced yesterday that the EU will no longer impose sanctions against Russia in stages, but will move on to tougher measures, as reported by EC President Ursula von der Leyen.
These are restrictive measures against the aggressor country's energy, financial services, and trade sectors.
On September 19, the European Commission submitted a 19th package of sanctions against Russia for discussion by EU member states.
The new restrictions include a complete ban on Russian gas imports to European countries until January 1, 2027.
Since the pro-Russian leaders of Hungary and Slovakia will try to block new restrictions against the Kremlin, the European Commission has proposed a new voting scheme.
This involves voting on sanctions against Russia by a simple majority of EU member states.
Hungary blocks sanctions
Hungary has repeatedly blocked or slowed down anti-Russian sanctions due to its energy dependence and pragmatic relations with Moscow.
For example, in 2022-2023, Hungary justified blocking sanctions against Russia by citing the threat to energy security.
Budapest is still dependent on oil and gas supplies from Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today called on Hungary to heed the US's demands to abandon Russian energy resources.
However, Hungary does not want to give up oil from Russia. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán explained why Hungary does not plan to terminate its contracts with Moscow.
