New Delhi/Brussels: The European Union has announced a major expansion of its sanctions regime against Russia, with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, stating that the bloc is moving forward with sanctions “at speed and scale”.
Kallas said that the latest measures, along with the upcoming 21st sanctions package, will add 250 individuals and entities to the EU’s Russia sanctions list.
She described the move as the largest round of individual designations since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The package also includes the EU’s biggest-ever cyber sanctions measures, aimed at countering cyber-related threats linked to Russia.
Highlighting the focus of the latest action, Kallas said the primary target is the financial backbone supporting Russia’s war efforts. She emphasised that each sanction measure is intended to reduce Moscow’s capacity to continue military operations.
The announcement came ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, where member states are expected to discuss further steps regarding the bloc’s response to Russia’s ongoing actions.