EU Expands Sanctions Against Russia
The EU is expanding sanctions on 80 Russian entities and individuals to increase economic pressure amid the Ukraine conflict.
Lauren Collins ·
EU Expands Sanctions Against Russia
The European Union is preparing to broaden its sanctions against Russia, targeting an additional 80 entities and individuals, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday in Cyprus. This initiative follows an informal meeting of EU defense ministers and aims to intensify economic pressure on Moscow, which the EU estimates has already incurred a $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion economic impact from existing sanctions.
The proposed new restrictions focus on Russia's military-industrial complex, human rights violators, and propagandists. This move is part of a sustained effort by the EU to undermine Russia's war economy amidst its ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Concurrently, Hungary has reversed its opposition to a 6.6-billion-euro ($7.6-billion) fund intended to reimburse EU member states for arms supplied to Ukraine, following a change in its leadership.
Kallas has suggested that this fund should not only cover past weapons deliveries but also finance joint weapons procurements and broader EU military assistance. These developments occur as Russia continues its attacks in Ukraine, with a recent incident in the Zaporizhzhia region resulting in five fatalities and 14 injuries. The EU maintains that conditions are not yet suitable for negotiations with Russia.