The European Union ambassadors agreed on the 16th package of sanctions in response to Russia’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine on Wednesday, February 19.
Ricard Jozwiak, Europe editor for Radio Free Europe, reported this on X (Twitter), as cited by European Pravda.
According to him, the new sanctions package will be officially approved by the EU foreign ministers next Monday, February 24—the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Later, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed the approval of the new sanctions package and welcomed the decision.
“The EU is further stepping up its fight against sanctions circumvention, targeting more vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and introducing new import and export bans. We intend to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin,” she wrote on X (Twitter).
According to the Financial Times, the 16th package of sanctions against Russia targets the country’s aluminum industry and tightens restrictions on oil exports.
Sources cited by the publication state that the measures apply to 13 more banks, 73 tankers from Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” used for crude oil exports, and a “gradual” ban on EU countries purchasing certain types of Russian aluminum products.
The package also targets more individuals and companies that help Russia continue its war against Ukraine.
As previously reported, Poland, which currently holds the EU presidency, wants the new sanctions package to be adopted on February 24, the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier, Poland, along with a group of Scandinavian and Baltic countries, presented its proposals for the 16th sanctions package. In particular, these countries are calling for restrictions on the import of Russian gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
It is worth noting that on December 16, the EU adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, aimed at countering sanctions evasion by targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” and weakening its military-industrial complex.
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