**EU Sanctions on Russia: Not Tough Enough**
Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys made a strong statement in Kyiv recently, saying that the existing European Union (EU) sanctions against Russia are not sufficient. He claimed that these sanctions only cover about 40% of Russia’s capabilities and called for much stronger measures.
Budrys was speaking alongside Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. This is a critical moment in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia continuing to escalate its attacks on Ukrainian territory. Despite repeated failures of peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow, US President Trump is pushing for these negotiations while putting off new sanctions against Russia.
**Sanctions Not Doing Enough**
The EU has imposed extensive sanctions on Russia since 2014, when it annexed Crimea, and again in 2022, following a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions aim to weaken the Russian economy, cut off access to finance and technology, and pressure Moscow to change its behavior.
However, Budrys believes that these measures are not doing enough. He pointed out that only about 40% of Russia’s capabilities are covered by existing sanctions. This means that a significant part of Russia’s economy remains untouched by EU restrictions.
**New Sanctions in the Works**
Budrys announced that the EU has started working on its 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions. This new round is expected to target sectors of the Russian economy that have not been affected by previous sanctions. The upcoming measures will also include personal restrictions on top managers within Russian corporations and new limitations on Russian exports.
**United Pressure Needed**
Budrys emphasized that it’s crucial for the EU to coordinate its efforts with the United States, applying united transatlantic pressure on Russia. This is a critical moment in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and stronger sanctions are needed to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
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