Against the backdrop of the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories, the countries of the European Union came close to agreeing on the eighth package of sanctions against Russia.
This was reported by Reuters with reference to EU diplomats.
The European Commission has already recommended that the EU introduce more restrictions on trade with Russia, as well as move to the establishment of a maximum price level for sea supplies of Russian oil to third countries, mostly insured by European companies.
Therefore, today the EU member states discussed this proposal and, according to the publicationʼs sources, hope for a final decision as early as next week.
"The willingness to go ahead is high, we want to be ready as soon as possible because of everything that is going on," said one senior EU diplomat.
According to sources, sanctions will include the Kremlin-controlled diamond mining company Alrosa, as well as the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill.
The EU is also considering a ban on the import of steel and steel products, paper and wood, as well as a ban on the export of more technological equipment and services to Russia.
Reuters adds that Hungary is now the fiercest critic of sanctions against Russia.
- On September 30, Russian President Putin announced the annexation of the occupied Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions to the Russian Federation.