The ambassadors of the European Union countries approved a sixth package of sanctions against Russia because of its war on Ukraine, according to an official source in the European Union.
The European Union's foreign and security policy official, Josep Borrell, said that the sanctions include reducing European countries' imports of Russian oil by 90% by the end of this year, and preventing Russia's Sberbek Bank from using the international transfer system "SWIFT".
In statements on the sidelines of an EU summit to be held in Brussels, Borrell added that this was done after agreeing to give exceptions for obtaining oil through pipelines by land for landlocked countries, in reference to Hungary.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced that the European Union countries agreed to strengthen their defenses, ensure energy supplies and face the emerging food shortage crisis.
On the second day of the EU summit meeting in Brussels, the European official described this matter as a step forward, noting that a joint committee was formed among the member states of the European Union with the task of buying gas and oil.
German Chancellor Olaf Schulz said that his country will end its dependence on Russian oil at the end of this year.
economic war
In the same context, the US Treasury Department said in a notification on its website today, Thursday, that the United States has issued a new package of Russia-related sanctions targeting 17 individuals, including Sergey Roldugin, who is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For his part, Josep Borrell blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the global food and energy crisis.
During a press conference in the Dead Sea region in Jordan, Borrell warned of the repercussions of the Russian war on Ukraine on the whole world, which he described as catastrophic.
In response to the European sanctions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the sanctions imposed by the European Union will have a self-destructive effect on the EU countries.
The ministry added that it was not surprising that it took nearly a month in Brussels to compel member states to what it called a resolute demonstration of solidarity among them, as it put it.
President Vladimir Putin has said that the West wants to destroy Russia, that economic sanctions are a declaration of economic war, and that Moscow will now move towards building relations with other powers in Asia and the Middle East.
The Kremlin also said Thursday that Russia did not intend to "close the door" to Europe.