The European Commission plans to present a new, 19th sanctions package against the Russian Federation by the end of the current week. It is expected that banks from two Central Asian countries will be included in the list. According to reports, the EU may impose restrictions on Kazakhstan for the first time due to suspicions of re-exporting prohibited goods to Russia. If the decision is made, the European Union will block the supply of certain types of equipment and machinery to Kazakhstan, which, according to trade data, are being significantly redirected to Russia for use in the military industry.
This is reported by Business • Media
Sanctions Against Re-exports and New Restrictions
As part of the new sanctions package, there is a possibility of adding enterprises not only from Kazakhstan but also from other countries, including China, to the “blacklist.” It is also planned to expand the list of products that are prohibited from export to prevent them from reaching the Russian military-industrial complex. The EU is conducting negotiations on the introduction of secondary sanctions in coordination with the United States.
European Energy: New Contracts and Ukraine’s Position
Amid preparations for sanctions, Hungary, known for its support of Russia within the EU, has signed a ten-year contract with Shell for gas supplies instead of Russian gas. Under the terms of the agreement, Hungary will receive 2 billion cubic meters of gas annually for ten years starting in 2026. Ukraine, for its part, fully supports the efforts of the United States aimed at reducing European dependence on Russian energy resources, as these revenues finance Russia’s aggressive actions.
“Pressure is needed, but not only from Europe. The White House has the greatest power, and I really hope that President Trump will do this – put pressure on Putin. This is the only way to stop the killer – we need to take away his weapon. Energy is his weapon,” emphasized the president.
Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need for a complete rejection of energy imports from Russia and the termination of all existing contracts with the aggressor country.