EU set to adopt 20th sanctions package against Russia

BRUSSELS

The European Union is set to adopt its 20th sanctions package against Russia next Monday, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Friday.

Speaking at a joint press conference following the E5 Defense Ministerial Meeting in Krakow, Poland, with ministers from Italy, Germany, the UK, Poland, and France, alongside NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska, Kallas said Europe faces unprecedented security challenges.

"Europe's security is more uncertain than it has been in decades. Russia poses a major threat that is clear for everybody. The Middle East remains unstable, and China is a long-term challenge, and the transatlantic link is being redefined," she said.

Kallas noted that while Russia's military is stalled in Ukraine, its hybrid warfare, including cyberattacks, sabotage, and drone incursions, is intensifying in Europe.

"But Europe is also responding. We are sanctioning those responsible. We have tightened controls of the movements of Russian diplomats. We have stepped up actions against Russia's shadow fleet, and we deployed hybrid response teams to partner countries at risk," she said.

Regarding sanctions, Kallas said: "Next Monday, we aim to adopt the 20th sanctions package against Russia. Sanctions are working. They are severely hurting Russia's economy, and each new measure further limits its ability to wage the war."

"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin won't end this war until the costs are higher than the benefits, and that is the point we must reach," she added.

She also addressed recent talks in Geneva, saying they showed Russia is not moving away from its "maximalist demands."

"The war has grown even more brutal for Ukraine over the past year; Russia is dragging out negotiations rather than moving towards peace... We need to also see the concessions from the Russian side in order to have a sustainable peace," she said.

On her part, Shekerinska highlighted the importance of transatlantic cooperation in ensuring European security.

"The transatlantic alliance is the bedrock of our security in Europe. It remains essential on both sides of the Atlantic, and we are working together to ensure that we remain strong and we remain capable," she stressed.

Shekerinska added that NATO remains vigilant and ready to respond to any threat, while European nations take greater responsibility for their own defense.