EU eyes 13th Russia sanctions package to mark invasion's second anniversary

The EU plans to introduce a 13th package of sanctions against Moscow to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, diplomatic sources said on Friday. The sanctions would mainly target individuals and organisations.

High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borrell "is very keen on the idea of marking the second anniversary of the aggression with a package of sanctions mainly targeting individuals and organisations," a senior European official said.

Exactly what the package will include is not yet clear. The Baltic states and Poland are in favour of sanctions against Russia's nuclear sector or liquefied natural gas imports, but other member states are very reluctant.

1.3 million shells

Also on Friday, European Commissioner Thierry Breton said the EU will have the capacity to produce at least 1.3 million artillery shells by the end of 2024. The priority is to send most of the shells produced by European companies to Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, called on the French defence industry to switch to "war economy mode" so that the country can send more supplies to Ukraine.

"We will continue to help the Ukrainians" because "we cannot allow Russia to think it can win," Macron said on Friday. "A Russian victory would mean the end of European security."

^{© UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP}