Von der Leyen says EU preparing 16th package of anti-Russian sanctions

The European Union (EU) is preparing the 16th package of sanctions against Russia. This was announced by the head of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen on December 18 at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

"Last week we adopted our 15th package of sanctions. <...> The 16th package of sanctions is already in preparation," von der Leyen said, her speech was broadcast on the European Parliament's website.

She added that the sanctions were a signal from the EU to Russia and urged European countries to support Ukraine, which has moved strongly toward membership in the association.

Courts and trials: what is known about the 15th package of sanctions against Russia

The EU Council adopted a new list of anti-Russian restrictions on December 16

Earlier, on December 16, EU foreign ministers gave final approval to the 15th package of economic and individual sanctions against Russia. The list of restrictions includes 54 individuals and 30 organizations. Restrictions also affected 52 vessels, which were banned from access to ports and a wide range of services in the field of water transport. In addition, the new package of sanctions also included the airline Utair.

Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing on December 18 that the 15th package of EU sanctions is illegal and unlawful. The imposition of these restrictions jeopardizes global energy security. Zakharova stressed that Moscow would analyze the new restrictions and then take retaliatory measures.

Before that, on November 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the volume of Western anti-Russian sanctions has no analogues from the historical point of view, but the restrictions have not inflicted on Russia "a crushing blow from which it will not be able to recover." The head of state pointed out that the world needs Russia, and no sanctions will not cancel this.

Western countries have tightened sanctions pressure on Russia in connection with the special operation to protect Donbass. The decision to launch it was announced on February 24, 2022 after the aggravation of the situation in the region due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.