EU Eyes Energy, Financial and Secondary Sanctions in 19th Package, Kallas Says
The European Union is preparing a 19th package of sanctions against Russia that could target its energy sector, financial services, and third countries helping Moscow evade existing restrictions, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Friday.
The Gaze reports this, referring to European Pravda.
Speaking ahead of an informal meeting of EU defense ministers in Copenhagen, Kallas stated that sanctions on energy and financial flows would be the most painful for the Kremlin, which is struggling to access capital.
“We are working on the next package, and several options are on the table. Naturally, the most effective would be sanctions against energy and secondary measures, like those imposed by the Americans, as well as restrictions on financial services that cut off access to desperately needed capital,” she told reporters.
Kallas stressed that discussions among member states were still ongoing but underscored that pressure on Moscow remains the only effective tool. “Everyone understands: given how Putin mocks peace efforts, the only thing that truly works is pressure,” she said.
Diplomats say the new package is unlikely to impose major fresh restrictions on oil and gas, but talks on expanding secondary sanctions, adopted by the bloc in 2023 but not yet used, are advancing. These measures would ban the export or transfer of certain goods to third countries suspected of helping Russia circumvent EU sanctions.
In addition, Kallas stated that the EU is preparing to play a role in security guarantees for Ukraine. The bloc is considering three elements – a training mission, a military mission, and support for Ukraine’s defense industry with participation open even to neutral states.
She noted that while these efforts would only be launched after the war, EU ministers are already discussing immediate steps such as boosting supplies of artillery shells and air-defense systems.
Kallas stressed that decisions on troop deployments would remain up to individual member states, some of which have signaled readiness while others remain cautious.
As The Gaze previously reported, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU will soon approve a 19th package of sanctions against Russia and is discussing the use of frozen Russian assets for military support in response to Russia's overnight missile attack on Kyiv.