Von der Leyen Welcomed the EU's Agreement on the 21st Package of Sanctions Against Russia
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement reached by the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives on the content of the 21st package of sanctions against the Russian Federation—the aggressor state. On July 23, the committee also decided to conduct a written procedure in the afternoon to approve the package, according to “European Truth.”
“I welcome the decision on the 21st sanctions package against Russia. At a time when Ukraine is gaining military momentum, our sanctions continue to undermine the economic foundations of Russia’s military actions,” von der Leyen stated on social media platform X.
According to her, as part of the new package, the EU will for the first time target vessels that assist Russia’s “shadow fleet.” The EU will also add 32 more Russian banks, as well as crypto companies and oil trading platforms, to the list of entities subject to transaction bans.
The European Commission President also stated that the EU will freeze adjustments to the oil price cap for one year so that “the Russian war machine does not benefit from market turmoil.”
Previously, the EU Committee of Permanent Representatives was unable to agree on the package on July 15 and 22. One of the key issues was Greece’s demand to extend its authorization to re-export Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries. Bulgaria demanded that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church be removed from the lists; Italy later joined this position. After Kirill was removed from the lists, these objections were withdrawn.
