Callas: The EU is preparing its largest package of sanctions against Russia since the start of the full-scale war

The European Union intends to significantly step up sanctions pressure on Russia as early as this autumn. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has stated that the package currently being prepared could be the most extensive since the start of the full-scale war. Kallas made these remarks in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, as reported by Reuters.

According to the European official, the new restrictions could increase the total number of Russian companies and organisations subject to sanctions by around a third. However, Kallas did not disclose which specific sectors of the Russian economy would come under the new pressure, nor when exactly the package would be unveiled.

“EU sanctions have already cost Russia dearly, depriving the Russian military machine of more than 1 trillion euros,” Kallas stated.

She emphasised that pressure on Moscow must be stepped up until Russia ends the war against Ukraine.

It is worth noting that the new package is being prepared shortly after the European Union approved its 21st package of sanctions against Russia on 23 July. It was one of the most extensive in recent years and included 218 new individual restrictions – 48 individuals and 170 organisations.

As part of the July package, the EU tightened restrictions on the Russian banking and financial sectors, introduced additional measures against crypto-platforms and extended export restrictions on goods and technologies used by the Russian defence industry. Certain measures targeted the shadow oil fleet and associated entities.