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Next Round of Russia Sanctions Already in the Works, Says EU Foreign Policy Chief

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Next Round of Russia Sanctions Already in the Works, Says EU Foreign Policy Chief
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission speaks to the press at the European Council headquarters on May 20, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium. (Source: Getty Images)

The only way to compel Russia to engage in meaningful negotiations over a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine is by ramping up pressure, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said following the adoption of the European Union’s 17th sanctions package against Moscow, Deutshe Welle reported on May 20.

Speaking at a press conference in Brussels after the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, Kallas emphasized that Europe’s top priority remains a full and unconditional ceasefire, which Ukraine has already agreed to more than two months ago. Russia, she said, continues to escalate the war and is “still playing games.”

“Ministers were asking for swift progress on the next round of sanctions. Many member states said: if Russia refuses to agree to a full and unconditional ceasefire, we must ramp up the pressure. The next package of sanctions is exactly the kind of pressure we can apply,” Kallas said.

“We also discussed contributions to security guarantees for Ukraine and how we can step up support at the European level.”

When asked which measures could have the most tangible impact on the Russian economy, Kallas pointed to the energy sector as the most vulnerable.

“I believe the most important thing is to lower the price cap on Russian oil,” she said, noting that energy remains “a critical source of revenue” for Russia and continues to fuel its war economy. The EU, she stressed, must increase pressure specifically within the energy market.

Earlier, the European Union formally approved its 17th package of sanctions targeting Russia, a move aimed at tightening pressure on Moscow over its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Kallas, the new measures target nearly 200 vessels involved in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and also address hybrid threats and human rights violations.

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