Lithuanian formin says EU's new Russia sanctions package 'quite optimistic'

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Monday that the EU's new sanctions package against Russia is "pretty good" and makes him "quite optimistic". 

"At least from the excerpts I've seen, I'm quite optimistic," he said before the EU Foreign Affairs Council's meeting. 

The minister believes that as political discussions on the latest sanctions begin, the final version will "most likely be weaker."

"However, given that considerable time has passed since the last package, it's a pretty good package," he added. 

According to Landsbergis, the 12th package of sanctions against Russia covers a number of areas.

"It includes individual sanctions, sectoral sanctions, and sanctions against specific companies," he said.

The EU adopted its 11th package in June, aimed at closing the loopholes for circumventing the existing sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

The bloc then blacklisted a further 87 entities that directly support Russia's military-industrial complex, subjecting them to stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and advanced technologies.

In mid-October, Poland submitted to the European Commission a proposal for a 12th package of sanctions against Russia. The proposal includes sanctions on Russian diamonds and restrictive measures targeting a broader range of individuals and entities.

Poland's proposal also calls for a ban on the import of liquefied petroleum gas from Russia and the use of Russian information and communication technology services.