EU Moves Toward 20th Sanctions Package Against Russia Ahead of Invasion Milestone
Ambassadors of the European Union are preparing to approve a 20th package of sanctions against Russia ahead of the fourth anniversary of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The Gaze informs about it, referring to Welt.
The upcoming sanctions are intended to intensify pressure on the Kremlin for its war against Ukraine and to further erode Russia’s economic capacity.
Diplomats say the package will expand travel bans and asset freezes targeting additional individuals and entities, with a particular focus on those implicated in the unlawful deportation and ideological indoctrination of Ukrainian children.
EU officials are also discussing fresh restrictions on Russia’s energy and banking sectors, alongside new steps designed to eliminate loopholes that have allowed existing sanctions to be circumvented.
One of the most consequential options under consideration in Brussels is a ban on imports of Russian uranium. Such a move would effectively place sanctions on Rosatom, Russia’s state nuclear energy agency.
While several EU member states have long advocated for this step, resistance has persisted from countries including France and Belgium, which rely on Russian nuclear fuel for their power plants.
Diplomatic sources note that alternative suppliers, such as South Africa, Australia, or Canada, could meet European demand, albeit at higher cost.
The media has also indicated that discussions on the 20th package have already led to the blacklisting of more than 40 additional shadow-fleet tankers.
As The Gaze previously reported, on October 23, the EU officially adopted its 19th package of sanctions against Russia, tightening restrictions across energy, finance, and high-tech sectors.
Read more on The Gaze: The EU’s 19th Sanctions Package: A Strategic Offensive Against the Kremlin’s War Machine