EU plans ‘most far-reaching’ Russia sanctions package for autumn, Kallas says

The European Union plans to significantly expand sanctions against Russia in the coming months, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said, signalling tougher measures as Moscow’s war in Ukraine continues.

“EU sanctions have already cost Russia dearly,” Kallas told German daily Die Welt, saying existing measures had deprived Russia’s war machine of more than €1 trillion ($1.16 trillion).

Kallas said she would propose “the most far-reaching sanctions listings since the start of the war” this autumn. If adopted, the measures would immediately increase the number of sanctioned Russian entities by about one-third, she said.

“The pressure must keep growing until Moscow ends its war,” Kallas added, without providing further details on the timing or scope of the proposed package.

The EU approved its latest sanctions package against Russia in July, targeting the country’s banking sector and cryptocurrency networks as part of efforts to intensify economic pressure over the war in Ukraine.