EU prepares new sanctions package against Russia for third anniversary of full-scale invasion of Ukraine

This was reported by Welt am Sonntag, citing diplomatic sources in Brussels.

EU diplomats noted that the new sanctions will send a clear message to Moscow and target specific sectors of the Russian economy that have previously been overlooked or insufficiently addressed. The 16th sanctions package will also include restrictions on individuals and organizations supporting the Russian regime and those responsible for threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Additionally, the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) are set to impose travel bans and asset freezes on individuals involved in espionage for Russia and disinformation campaigns, including those in Germany.

Brussels acknowledged that it will be difficult to trace individuals' involvement in Russian hybrid attacks or prove their participation in crimes. For this reason, it has not yet been decided whether sanctions for espionage and disinformation will be imposed on February 24.

However, at a recent EU summit, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán opposed new sanctions, stating he wanted to wait until Donald Trump assumed office as US president on January 20.

• On Monday, December 16, the European Union approved a new sanctions package targeting 54 individuals and 30 companies involved in undermining Ukraine's sovereignty.