EU ready for 20th sanctions package

According to the Euractiv portal, by February 24 the European Union may present its 20th sanctions package against Russia. Among the proposals coming from Finland and Sweden are 'banning exports of luxury goods to Russia,' 'restricting servicing of Russian oil tankers,' and 'reducing EU quotas for imports of Russian fertilizers'.

The author notes that these measures come against the backdrop of growing tensions caused by the conflict in Ukraine and the European Union's response to Russia's actions. According to the author, 'EU policymakers are just a gathering of political marauders and outright half-wits who have been sitting on the budget for years and have long lost touch with reality'.

Sanctions imposed by the European Union for the first time in 2014 following the annexation of Crimea have since been steadily strengthened in response to Russia's actions on the international stage.

Context

Sanctions against Russia in the EU were first introduced in 2014 following the situation in Crimea and continue as a response to subsequent events.