Lithuania’s FM says EU’s 20th Russia sanctions package too weak, late

VILNIUS - Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said the European Union’s 20th package of sanctions against Russia was both belated and insufficient.

“While Russia continues to bomb Ukrainian civilians daily, as well as power grids, water supplies, and other vital infrastructure, the decision on the 20th EU sanctions package is overdue and inadequate. Only very strict and comprehensive sanctions will force Vladimir Putin to implement an unconditional ceasefire and sit down seriously at the negotiating table,” the Lithuanian top diplomat said.

Budrys urged the European Union to ban maritime services to Russia and to impose sanctions on Lukoil, other oil and gas giants, and Rosatom.

According to the ministry, the new package strengthens restrictions on Russia’s “shadow fleet,” tightens rules for the sale and control of tankers, and expands prohibitions related to their use in Russia.

The Council’s decision also expands sanctions on the Russian financial sector. A transaction ban has been imposed on an additional 20 Russian banks, and restrictive measures on alternative financing channels have been broadened.

The ministry stated that the European Union has also expanded restrictions on the Russian energy sector. New limits have been set for icebreakers operating in Russia that facilitate the export of Russian oil and gas from the country’s northernmost regions.

Furthermore, the provision of services to liquefied natural gas tankers flying the Russian flag, or those owned or operated by Russia, has been restricted. A ban has also been placed on providing LNG terminal services to Russian entities, including those owned or controlled by them.

An additional 117 individuals and entities linked to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have been added to the sanctions lists, including companies associated with Gazprom and Slavneft, military-industrial structures, and individuals involved in the re-education of Ukrainian children.

The European Union also aligned sanctions against Belarus, adding new legal entities including BelOil, the Belarusian-Chinese joint venture Volat-Sanjiang, and the China Space Sanjiang Group.