Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, announced that sanctions against Russia would be expanded in the autumn. Kallas discussed the Russia-Ukraine war and the European Union’s sanctions policy in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt.
Kallas said she would present the most comprehensive sanctions list against Russia since the beginning of the war in the autumn. She did not provide details about which individuals, companies or entities would be covered by the new list.
If the new restrictive measures are adopted, the number of sanctioned Russian individuals, companies and entities would increase by approximately one-third. Kallas said pressure on Russia should be increased until the war ends.
EU sanctions packages
The EU has implemented 21 sanctions packages against Russia over the war. The restrictions cover trade, finance, energy, industry, technology, transport, dual-use goods, luxury goods, and the trade in gold and diamonds.
The sanctions also include a ban on shipments of seaborne crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia to the EU. Transaction restrictions targeting Russian banks and the suspension of broadcasting activities by numerous Russian media outlets are also among the measures in force.
Approximately 3,000 individuals and entities are subject to EU sanctions imposed over Russia’s actions threatening Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
Unanimity required for adoption
EU member states must reach a unanimous decision for sanctions against Russia to be adopted.