According to the newspaper, a new package of sanctions may be presented at the end of June or early July. In addition to ships, the restrictions may affect Russian banks, financial organizations, enterprises of the military-industrial complex and companies which, according to the EU, are involved in the sale of Ukrainian grain.
Sanctions against the Russian Orthodox Churchand Patriarch Kirill
According to RBC, citing Politico, Brussels is also discussing a return to measures that were previously blocked by the government of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Among them are sanctions against representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church, including Patriarch Kirill. In addition, the EC may again propose a ban on providing maritime services to Russian vessels. This measure was previously opposed by Greece and Malta.
European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Valdis Dombrovskis told Politico that now is “not the time to ease pressure” on Moscow. “It is really time to push for more because Russia is not doing well. Russia is suffering from a ‘static inflationary shock,'” he said.
The publication notes that the EU sees Ukraine’s position as stronger than a year ago, including due to the recently agreed €90 billion loan, as well as the development of Ukrainian production of long-range weapons.
Russia considers the Western countries’ sanctions illegal.
