EU ambassadors and the 27 member states reached a political agreement on Thursday on the 21st package of sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine. The agreement comes after previous meetings failed to result in a consensus. While some member states asserted individual interests to secure concessions or sought exemptions, the European Union aims to maintain pressure on Russia as Ukraine's outlook improves.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the adoption of the package, stating that it continues to weaken the economic foundations of Russia’s war effort. The measures include a 12-month freeze on the Russian oil price cap adjustment to ensure the Russian war machine does not benefit from market shocks. Furthermore, the transaction ban list has been expanded to include 32 additional Russian banks, as well as crypto firms and oil trading platforms.
Simultaneously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised overnight attacks on Russian logistics hubs involved in supplying the Russian army with navigation equipment, drone components, and other gear. Zelenskyy stated that the war is being brought back to Russia and asserted that the Russian side must be forced to turn to diplomacy, noting that Ukraine has presented every proposal for peace.