Kaja Kallas urges EU to keep sanctions on Russia
Kallas told reporters at the UN General Assembly that sanctions are central to Europe’s pressure on Moscow as member states debate removing two oligarchs from the list.
Kaja Kallas urged European Union member states to keep sanctions on Russia in place, saying the measures are central to maintaining pressure on Moscow as diplomacy continues over possible delistings.
Speaking at a press conference in New York during the United Nations General Assembly, Kallas said the measures are essential to push for an end to the war in Ukraine and warned against rolling them back while talks over exemptions persist.
"The sanctions against Russia remain 'the core' of European policy to exert pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine," she said. "Some member states have asked for certain individuals to be removed from the list and that is why these talks are under way at the moment," she added, expressing hope the discussions will conclude soon.
EU negotiations continue amid dispute over two oligarchs
Despite an earlier informal accord, the EU failed last night to confirm a provisional deal to lift sanctions on two Russian oligarchs — a request reportedly advanced by France and Luxembourg — and diplomats in Brussels said negotiations resumed this morning.
Kallas stressed the need for stability and announced that Brussels is preparing further measures. "We have a clear need for stability, and that means sanctions must remain in force for a longer time. That is why we are also working on a new package of sanctions," she said.
The sanctions regime covers almost 3,000 individuals and legal entities accused of supporting Russia's military operations against Ukraine; any change requires approval from all 27 member states to take effect.
Photo: press material from the event
