This Thursday, the European Union adopted the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, after the lifting of the Slovak blockade, announced the head of community diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, who expressed herself “very satisfied” with Washington’s sanctions on Moscow on the same day that the European Union adopted the 19th package of restrictive measures.
“We have just adopted our 19th sanctions package, which targets Russian banks, cryptocurrency exchanges, entities in India and China, among others. The EU is restricting the movements of Russian diplomats to combat destabilization attempts”, as well as taking steps to ban Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), the Union’s High Representative explained in X for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“It is increasingly difficult for Putin to finance this war”, concluded Kaja Kallas, in an adoption that was possible after Slovakia lifted its veto related to its energy imports and its economy dependent on Russian gas.
“We are very pleased with the signals we received from the United States regarding the sanctions relating to Russia, I think it is an important sign of strength that we are aligned on this matter”, said Kaja Kallas, speaking today at the entrance to the European Council.
Kaja Kallas also said that European leaders will still discuss the reparation loan to Kiev, using the proceeds from Russian assets frozen in the EU.
“I think the fundamental message is that Russia is responsible for the damage caused in Ukraine and must pay for it,” he stressed.
Trump talks about “huge” sanctions
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he hoped the “massive” sanctions announced by his administration against two major Russian oil companies would be short-lived.
EU leaders will discuss in Brussels this Thursday the intensification of support for Ukraine and pressure on Moscow, at a summit attended by President Volodymyr Zelensky, but with little expectation of progress towards a ceasefire.
The participation of the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, in the meeting in Brussels is still under analysis as on Wednesday the government official canceled the entire agenda scheduled until the end of the funeral ceremonies for former Prime Minister Francisco Pinto Balsemão.
Russia says it is “immune” from US sanctions
Russia this Thursday criticized the new United States sanctions against the oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, and said it was immune to Washington’s economic decisions.
“We consider this measure to be exclusively counterproductive,” declared Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during the weekly press conference in Moscow.
“Our country has developed solid immunity against Western restrictions and will continue to confidently develop its economic potential, including in the energy field”, assured Zakharova, reacting to the sanctions announced on Wednesday by Washington against the two main Russian oil companies for financing the Russian war machine in Ukraine and Moscow’s lack of commitment to a peace process.
The sanctions were approved a day after Washington announced that a second meeting between Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, was not expected soon, following the failure of the Alaska summit in August.