Key occasions
Ukraine welcomes sanctions, says ‘there may be extra to be completed’
Ukraine’s new prime minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, has simply reacted to the adoption of sanctions, thanking member states for progress, but in addition insisting “there may be extra to be completed.”
She mentioned:
“We welcome the European Union’s newest sanctions package deal and are grateful to all who’ve made it potential.
By concentrating on the ships, the banks, and the networks that maintain Russia’s battle, this package deal strengthens the strain the place it counts.
There may be extra to be completed. However every measure taken with readability and resolve helps carry Russia’s battle nearer to its finish.”
18th package deal of EU sanctions on Russia formally adopted, Denmark confirms
And Denmark, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, has simply confirmed that EU ministers have formally signed off on the 18th package deal of sanctions in opposition to Russia.
Danish overseas minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen mentioned:
“Now we tighten the knot on Russia by concentrating on vitality revenues, exports, circumvention, and shadow fleet. Below the Danish Presidency, the EU adopted its 18th sanctions package deal that may enhance the strain on Russia.”
France’s Europe minister Benjamin Haddad additionally welcomed the progress made on sanctions, saying it was “extraordinarily bold” and hits “Russia’s vitality sector” to defund its battle efforts in Ukraine.
He burdened the necessity to “enhance the strain on Russia” by each army support and financial strain, saying this package deal of sanctions was “a large step ahead.”
He mentioned there was a “appreciable diplomatic effort” behind the scenes to get them over the road, and burdened it will proceed to assist Ukraine as “it’s the safety of all Europeans that’s at stake.”
Danish Europe minister Marie Bjerre mentioned the sanctions had been an vital aspect of the EU’s effort “to weaken the Russian battle machine.”
“I’m very comfortable that it appears like we are going to now, as we speak, attain consensus,” she mentioned.
Luxembourgish deputy prime minister and overseas minister Xavier Bettel mentioned he was pleased with the adoption, saying “often Hungary is the troublemaker, and this time [it was] Slovakia.”
However he added that whereas “it’s a pity we weren’t capable of agree on Tuesday, it’s [still] this week.”
“What’s vital to indicate that even when we generally have nationwide [differences], we’ve got European options,” he mentioned.
Andriy Yermak, essentially the most senior aide to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, provided Ukraine’s (temporary) response to the sanctions in his customary emoji-heavy means, by replying to Kallas’s feedback with two emojis: of a handshake, and of a flexed muscle.
I feel meaning he’s pleased with the end result.
Morning opening: EU adopts new sanctions in opposition to Russia
Jakub Krupa
It has taken a bit longer than they might have needed, however the 18th EU package deal of sanctions is right here, after Slovakia dropped its opposition to its adoption final night time.
The Slovak prime minister, Robert Fico, mentioned late Thursday that he acquired further ensures from the EU on the technically unrelated, however politically linked, challenge of fuel imports from Russia and was now ready to assist the package deal.
After a rapidly convened assembly of ambassadors this morning adopted the measures, EU’s overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas said it was ”certainly one of … strongest sanctions packages in opposition to Russia thus far.”
She defined:
“We’re reducing the Kremlin’s battle finances additional, going after 105 extra shadow fleet ships, their enablers, and limiting Russian banks’ entry to funding.
Nord Stream pipelines will likely be banned. A decrease oil worth cap. We’re placing extra strain on Russia’s army business, Chinese language banks that allows sanctions evasion, and blocking tech exports utilized in drones.
For the primary time, we’re designating a flag registry and the largest Rosneft refinery in India. Our sanctions additionally hit these indoctrinating Ukrainian youngsters. We’ll hold elevating the prices, so stopping the aggression turns into the one path ahead for Moscow.”
European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen added:
“We’re putting on the coronary heart of Russia’s battle machine.
Focusing on its banking, vitality and military-industrial sectors and together with a brand new dynamic oil worth cap.
The strain is on.
It is going to keep on till Putin ends this battle.”
EU ministers from throughout the bloc are simply arriving for as we speak’s Common Affairs Council in Brussels, so we are going to little doubt get extra reactions quickly.
I’ll carry you all key updates from throughout Europe as we speak.
It’s Friday, 18 July 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa right here, and that is Europe Dwell.
Good morning.
