EU readies 18th sanctions package to intensify pressure on Russia – von der Leyen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the news in a post on the social platform X. Reuters has also reported on it.

“We want peace. Now is the time to intensify the pressure until Putin is also ready for peace. This is why we are working on the 18th package of sanctions,” von der Leyen wrote on X. 

According to the President of the European Commission, the new sanctions package will target Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2.

Von der Leyen also said the EU plans to add more ships to Russia’s “shadow fleet” list, lower the oil price cap, and introduce new rules for Russia’s financial sector.

Earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the EU’s 17th sanctions package against Russia will be approved at the EU Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels on May 20.

He wrote about this in the social network X, but the post was later deleted.

"The new sanctions package is ready. We will approve it in Brussels on Tuesday," emphasized the German Chancellor.

Merz also added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkey on Thursday was “a major concession.”

“Putin didn’t come - he put himself in an awkward position,” emphasized the German Chancellor.

• On Wednesday, May 14, European Union ambassadors approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, along with additional restrictions.