On Friday morning, July 18, the EU Permanent Representatives Committee (Coreper) approved a new, 18th package of sanctions against the russian federation.
European Pravda reported this with reference to diplomatic sources in Brussels.
"This morning, Coreper adopted the 18th package of sanctions against Russia. This was the only item on the agenda," said one of the European diplomats.
The formal approval of the sanctions will take place later that day at a meeting of the EU Council on General Affairs.
The new package includes, in particular, more than 100 vessels of the so-called "shadow fleet", additional restrictions against russian banks and companies outside the russian federation that support its military machine, as well as a reduction in the price ceiling for russian oil.
The EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, said that this is one of the strongest sanctions packages against the kremlin.
"We are further cutting the Kremlin's war budget by including 105 ships of the "shadow fleet" and those who support them in the list, as well as restricting Russian banks' access to financing. Nord Stream will be banned. The price ceiling for oil has also been lowered," Kallas stressed.
She emphasized that the sanctions are increasing pressure on the russian military-industrial complex, Chinese banks that help russia circumvent restrictions, and will also complicate the import of components for military UAVs to russia.
"For the first time, we have imposed sanctions against the ship registry and the largest oil refinery of Rosneft in India. In addition, our restrictions will affect those who impose ideology on Ukrainian children," she added.
Kallas assured that the EU is ready to continue to increase pressure on moscow so that the cessation of aggression against Ukraine becomes the only way out for russia.
Recall that the adoption of this package was blocked by Slovakia and Malta for several weeks, but in the end they abandoned their objections, which allowed it to be approved.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the European Union offered Slovakia guarantees on gas in exchange for support for the 18th package of sanctions against russia.
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