EU prepares 22nd sanctions package against Russia
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sowetan
The European Union is preparing a 22nd package of sanctions against Russia, with new restrictions targeting banks and cryptocurrency platforms in particular. The European Commission wants to present the measures before the 26 and 27 November European summit, according to Ursula von der Leyen and European diplomats cited by Reuters.
The European Commission will present a new package of sanctions against Russia before the extraordinary European Council summit on 26 and 27 November, its president Ursula von der Leyen announced on Thursday. It will be the European Union’s 22nd package of sanctions against Moscow since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Reuters.
The package is expected to include new restrictions targeting banks, cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency platforms, as well as measures intended to close opportunities for circumventing sanctions through third countries, according to European diplomats cited by Reuters. A ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes taking part in international competitions in the European Union could also be included.
The EU’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also said discussions were under way on possible visa restrictions targeting former Russian combatants. Ursula von der Leyen also announced a proposal to finance Ukraine’s needs in 2027, which will be presented with the new sanctions package before the European summit, according to Reuters.
The proposal comes after the Russia-Ukraine talks ended without a breakthrough on 11 November. The European Union had also coordinated its position with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the talks in Abu Dhabi on 9 November.
