The European Union (EU) today imposed its 16th package of sanctions on Russia on the third anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine, Beta news agency reports.
"For three years, Russia has been relentlessly bombing Ukraine, hoping to take land that does not belong to it. Each package of sanctions deprives the Kremlin of the resources it needs to wage this war," said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kalas.
The new sanctions, formally adopted by EU foreign ministers, target 73 phantom oil tankers, which Russia is using to circumvent existing sanctions aimed at restricting Russian oil exports.
The sanctions also include a ban on imports of Russian aluminum into the EU.
"The new round of sanctions targets not only the phantom Russian fleet, but also those who support the dangerous operation of oil tankers, those who operate drones, banks that have been used to circumvent sanctions, and the propaganda machine that spreads lies," said Kalas.
These sanctions, which are aimed at weakening the Russian war machine, are one of the issues in negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine between the US and Russia.
British authorities have also announced a new package of sanctions against Russia for today.
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London has already imposed sanctions on more than 1.900 individuals and other entities in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Reuters reported earlier today, citing two diplomats, that the foreign ministers of EU member states have approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia.
Reuters reported that diplomats said last week that the sanctions would include a ban on imports of primary aluminum, sales of game consoles and the listing of 73 phantom ships.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and the third anniversary will be marked today.
EU leaders arrived in Kiev this morning to express support for Ukraine on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion.
"Today we are in Kiev because Ukraine is Europe. In this fight for survival, it is not just the fate of Ukraine that is at stake. It is the fate of Europe," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a message on social media.
She also posted a video of the train's arrival in Kiev. She arrived in the Ukrainian capital together with European Council President Antoni Costa.
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