Brussels: In what it describes as one of the most powerful measures yet to limit Moscow's capacity to conduct its war in Ukraine, the European Union announced its 18th round of sanctions against Russia on Friday. The EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said in a statement that the new sanctions package specifically targets Russia's energy, banking, and defense sectors.
We are maintaining our position. One of the toughest sanctions packages against Russia in the history of the EU has just been approved. Kallas tweeted on X that we are further reducing the Kremlin's war budget, targeting an additional 105 shadow fleet ships, their facilitators, and restricting Russian banks' ability to access funds.
https://x com/kajakallas/status/1946092888221241797
The EU has also chosen to lower the price restriction on Russian oil and prohibit the Nord Stream pipelines as part of the new measures. The exports used in Russian drones and other military technology will be subject to tighter regulations.
We are increasing pressure on the Russian military industry, Chinese banks that facilitate sanctions evasion, and tech exports used in drones, Kallas said.
The EU has now increased sanctions outside of Europe as well. For the first time, it has included a flag registry and the biggest Rosneft refinery in India.
We are establishing a flag registry for the first time, as well as India's largest Rosneft refinery, Kallas wrote.
Additionally, the EU has taken action against groups that are complicit in Russia's forced relocation and indoctrination of Ukrainian youngsters.
Our sanctions also target individuals who are indoctrinating Ukrainian kids. We will continue to increase the price, making ending the aggression the only course of action available to Moscow.
The choice was also applauded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who described it as a significant step in the fight against Russia's military endeavors.
I applaud the agreement on our 18th sanctions package against Russia. In a new, dynamic oil price cap, we are attacking the core of Russia's war machinery by focusing on its military-industrial, banking, and energy industries, she tweeted.
https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1946098876798337325
In an effort to close every potential gap that enables Moscow to finance its war through oil trade, third-party banks, and shipping, the EU's latest action is seen as a major increase in economic pressure on Russia.
