Starting next week, the EU will begin preparing new sanctions against Russia, according to media reports.

The European Commission will begin preparing new sanctions against Russia starting next week. They aim to adopt this package on the third anniversary of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing RMF FM.

According to the publication, referencing European diplomats, the European Commission will start consultations with EU countries regarding the 16th package of sanctions against Russia next Tuesday, January 14.

Ambassadors from EU countries are expected to present their proposals and concerns regarding the upcoming sanctions package. Only after this will the European Commission present its proposals, which must be supported by all EU members.

Poland, which holds the presidency in the EU, wishes for the new sanctions package to be adopted on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, specifically on February 24, 2025.

The publication notes that negotiations on the sanctions will be challenging. Slovakia and Hungary are likely to block the new package.

Sanctions Against Russia

As a reminder, the EU adopted the 15th sanctions package against Moscow on December 15 of last year. The sanctions list included 54 individuals and 30 organizations from Russia, China, and North Korea.

Sanctions were imposed against the "shadow fleet" and the energy sector of the Russian Federation, as well as against Russians involved in the attack on the "Okhmatdyt" hospital and the deportation of Ukrainian children.

Media reports indicate that the European Union intends to announce the 16th sanctions package against Russia on the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.

It is worth mentioning that the United States and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Russian oil service companies, specifically "Gazprom Neft" and "Surgutneftegas," on January 10.