The European Council on Thursday formally approved its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, targeting the energy, financial and cryptocurrency sectors, while also imposing its largest package of individual sanctions in the past four years.
According to Report's European bureau, citing the Council of the European Union, the new measures include tougher economic sanctions against sectors the EU considers most important to Russia's economy and the financing of its war against Ukraine.
At the same time, the EU expanded its sanctions lists by 218 entries, adding 48 individuals and 170 entities.
Brussels said the new package is intended to further weaken Russia's economy and military capabilities following recent Russian strikes on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, including energy, civilian and medical facilities, as well as cultural and religious sites.
With every new sanctions package, the EU increases the pressure on Russia, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
The EU stressed that it intends to maintain and intensify economic pressure on Moscow in an effort to bring about an end to the war and the start of meaningful negotiations that could lead to a just and lasting peace.