EU approves fresh sanctions against Russia

The European Union has agreed on a new package of sanctions against Russia, targeting key sectors of its economy as concerns grow over US president Donald Trump’s push for negotiations with Moscow.

The 16th sanctions package, adopted on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, includes bans on Russian aluminium imports, exports of chemicals and precision machine tools and the servicing of oil and gas refineries. It also blacklists 74 shadow fleet vessels used to bypass existing restrictions on Russian oil exports.

EU foreign ministers approved the measures at a meeting in Brussels, where many officials wore blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine. The bloc’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, emphasised the need for unwavering support: “Right now, more than ever, we have to support Ukraine.”

European leaders have been unsettled by Trump’s willingness to engage with Moscow while sidelining Kyiv and Brussels. Belgian Foreign minister Maxime Prévot criticised any suggestion that Ukraine and Russia should be treated equally in peace talks, saying: “There is an aggressor and there is a victim.” Spain’s Foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, echoed that sentiment, rejecting efforts to equate the two sides.

Kallas is set to meet US secretary of state Marco Rubio in Washington this week to discuss transatlantic cooperation and Ukraine’s future.

Meanwhile, several EU officials, including Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, travelled to Kyiv to reaffirm support as the country marks the third year of Russian aggression.

Von der Leyen announced that Ukraine would receive a 3.5 billion euro aid payment in March. She also highlighted EU efforts to boost arms production, which would benefit Kyiv, and a plan to integrate Ukraine into the EU’s power grid. 

^{European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks ahead of the EU's Foreign Affairs council © PHOTO JOHN THYS / AFP}