Kallas: EU speeds work on 20th, prepares 21st Russia sanctions package

Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, said EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg agreed on the need to step up sanctions pressure on Russia, Report informs.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Kallas said the 20th package of sanctions was long overdue and expressed hope that the bloc would be able to move quickly, given what she described as new political momentum.

She also confirmed that, alongside efforts to speed up adoption of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, ministers proposed beginning work on a 21st package.

Kallas said the EU had also changed its approach to sanctions policy, moving away from rare large packages to a more flexible model. As an example, she said restrictions on Russia's so-called shadow fleet were now being introduced as new vessels were identified.

She added that additional measures were also being approved against individuals involved in disinformation campaigns inside the bloc.

Kallas said limiting Russia's energy revenues remained a key element of the strategy, adding that measures targeting oil had the greatest impact on the Russian economy because it was the main source of income for financing the war against Ukraine.

More broadly, she said, the EU intended not only to expand sanctions lists but also to return to previously blocked initiatives in order to increase economic and political pressure on Moscow.