Sources say EU's 21st Russia sanctions package will be ready on 8-9 June
The European Commission plans to present the European Union's new package of sanctions against Russia early next week, on 8 or 9 June.
Source: European Pravda's correspondent in Brussels, citing several officials from European institutions on condition of anonymity
Details: The European Union's 21st Russia sanctions package will be finalised and presented to EU member states on 8-9 June.
"We expect the new 21st package of sanctions against the Russian Federation to be presented by the European Commission early next week, on Monday [8 June] or Tuesday [9 June]," one European Pravda source said.
The European Commission usually presents its proposed sanctions packages at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper), with a limited briefing also provided to the media.
Discussions on the proposed sanctions will then begin in the capitals of member states.
European Pravda's sources said the sanctions package is expected to include a raft of measures targeting Russia's energy revenues: freezing the price cap on Russian oil and adding several dozen new vessels to the list of Russia's shadow fleet.
Possible sanctions against Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft are also on the agenda, but approval may run into difficulties because of the stance of several member states.
Another open question is whether Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, can be added to the sanctions list. Hungary previously blocked the move, but its new government is unlikely to veto such issues.
EU sanctions must be approved unanimously by all member states.
Background:
- Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced earlier that the EU's 21st Russia sanctions package could include measures targeting Russia's military-industrial complex and its shadow fleet.
- The 20th Russia sanctions package, which was approved by EU countries on 23 April, included restrictions on the shadow fleet and on individuals and companies supporting Russia's military-industrial complex, and laid the groundwork for a further ban on maritime services related to Russian oil supplies.