**EU Slaps Russia with 17th Package of Sanctions**
The European Union has taken another step to show its disapproval of Russia’s ongoing military actions. The Council of the European Union has approved a new package of sanctions, which targets nearly 200 vessels that belong to Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
According to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, these ships are an important part of Russia’s naval power, and by targeting them, the EU is weakening Russia’s ability to wage war. The shadow fleet refers to a collection of civilian ships that have been converted into military vessels. By hitting this fleet, the EU aims to disrupt Russia’s supply lines and limit its capacity for further aggression.
**A Continuing Response to Russian Aggression**
The new sanctions package also addresses other areas where Russia has been accused of wrongdoing. Hybrid threats refer to cyberattacks or other forms of digital sabotage that can be used to disrupt a country’s infrastructure or steal sensitive information. The EU is working to protect itself and its citizens from these types of attacks.
In addition, the sanctions aim to promote human rights in Ukraine and elsewhere in Eastern Europe. This is an important step, as Russia has been accused of violating human rights in various ways during its ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
**More Sanctions on the Way**
Kallas made it clear that the EU is not finished yet when it comes to sanctioning Russia. As the conflict continues, the EU will continue to work on new measures to punish Russia for its actions. In fact, Kallas declared that the longer Russia wages war, the tougher the EU’s response will be.
This suggests that the EU is committed to taking a strong stance against Russia until it withdraws from Ukraine and meets certain conditions. The approval of this 17th package of sanctions on Tuesday, May 20, shows that the EU is united in its determination to hold Russia accountable for its actions.
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