EU Members Near Agreement on Thirteenth Sanctions Package Against Russia

European Union diplomats said on Wednesday, February 14, that EU member states are close to an agreement on the thirteenth sanctions package against Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine, with expectations that these sanctions will be approved by the second anniversary of the invasion. Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, occupying parts of the country. According to Reuters, the new sanctions package will include around 200 entities and individuals. Diplomats told Reuters that Hungary still needs time to review this sanctions package. The new sanctions are expected to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels next Monday and at the ambassadors' meeting on Wednesday. The EU also passed a law last week that represents the first step towards using over 200 billion euros from the Russian central bank's assets in Europe for the reconstruction of Ukraine. Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official told Reuters that Washington and its allies are prepared to impose strong sanctions against Russia. The official, whose name was not disclosed by Reuters, refrained from providing details. The U.S. Defense Secretary emphasized full support for NATO; the NATO Secretary-General announced an increase in European countries' defense budgets. Sullivan called for immediate approval of U.S. financial aid to Ukraine and Israel in light of threats from the Islamic Republic and its proxies in the region. Ukraine claims to have sunk the large Russian ship 'Tzar Kunikov' in the Black Sea. Britain urged its European allies to increase defense production to assist Ukraine.