EU foreign policy chief proposes expansion of Russian sanctions

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced plans to propose a significant expansion of sanctions against Russia this autumn. Speaking to the German newspaper Welt, Kallas stated that her proposal aims to increase the number of sanctioned Russian entities by one-third, marking what she describes as the most ambitious sanctions package since the start of the conflict in February 2022.

Currently, the European Union has implemented 21 rounds of sanctions, covering approximately 3,000 individuals and legal entities. Kallas emphasized that these measures have already imposed significant costs on Russia, claiming they have deprived the country's military machine of over one trillion euros since the invasion began. The proposed increase is intended to further tighten economic pressure on Moscow.

The proposal is expected to be presented for formal consideration by EU member states this autumn. If adopted, this will represent a major escalation in the bloc’s restrictive measures aimed at weakening the Russian economy and its ability to sustain ongoing military operations in Ukraine.