Ukraine called on the EU to speed up the introduction of new sanctions against Russia

On Thursday, Kiev urged the EU “as soon as possible” to start working on the 11th sanctions package against Russia amid its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko says Kiev is grateful to Brussels for the steps taken so far, but the 10th package, adopted last month, does not include punishment of nuclear sectors and IT of Russia.

“The reality is that Russia still has access to enormous financial and technological resources,” he said in a statement, estimating their value at hundreds of millions of dollars. “That is why now is not the time to ease the pressure of sanctions as the war continues in the heart of Europe.”

He added: “Without in any way diminishing the importance of closing loopholes to circumvent sanctions, we are convinced that the EU must begin preparations for the next 11th round of sanctions.”

Recall that EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said last month that the bloc would continue to impose new sanctions on Moscow “as long as necessary”.

The tenth package included tighter export restrictions on dual-use goods, as well as crackdowns on organizations that support war, do propaganda or supply drones used by Russia.

It did not include Russia’s nuclear power sector due to objections from some EU member states.

At a conference in Croatia on Thursday, Ukraine’s energy minister issued a new call for sanctions against Russia’s nuclear sector.