Kallas: 'Very strong EU sanctions against Russia approved'
Ukrainian leader: Kiev is trying to reach an understanding to provide field-tested technology in exchange for US arms supplies
3' min read
3' min read
'We are determined. The EU has just approved one of the strongest sanctions packages against Russia to date." This was written in 'X' by the EU's High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas after the approval of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. "We are further cutting the Kremlin's war budget, targeting 105 more ships of the shadow fleet, their accomplices, and restricting Russian banks' access to financing," Kallas wrote.
"The North Stream pipelines will be banned. A lower cap on oil prices. We are putting more pressure on Russia's military industry, on Chinese banks that allow sanctions to be circumvented, and blocking exports of technology used in drones," he added in a second post on 'X'. "For the first time, we are designating a flag registry and the largest Rosneft refinery in India. Our sanctions also hit those who indoctrinate Ukrainian children. We will continue to increase the costs, so stopping the aggression becomes the only way out for Moscow,' he concluded.
The decision came after the meeting of Coreper, the EU Permanent Representatives Committee. Last night Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that he was lifting the veto, despite being dissatisfied with the European Commission's guarantees on stopping Russian gas imports. Slovakia had vetoed the new sanctions package twice, justifying its decision with concerns over the security of energy supplies.
Von der Leyen: 'We are striking at the heart of the Russian war machine'
."I welcome the agreement on our 18th sanctions package against Russia. We are striking at the heart of the Russian war machine, targeting the banking, energy and military-industrial sectors and including a new dynamic cap on oil prices. The pressure is high. And it will remain so until Putin puts an end to this war'. European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen wrote this in 'X'.
Zelensky: 'Essential and timely decision'
.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the 18th EU sanctions package against Russia, calling it "an essential and timely decision, especially now that Russia has intensified its brutal attacks against our towns and villages." "I would like to express my appreciation to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and all the leaders of the EU member states for their unity and principled stance," he wrote on X, also thanking European Council President Antonio Costa and "Denmark for a truly positive start to its EU presidency"
