Kaja Kallas: Sanctions against Russia will continue, EU preparing new measures

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Monday urged member states to maintain their sanctions policy against Russia unchanged, as the possibility of lifting some measures against two Russian oligarchs is being considered.

During a press conference on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Kallas said sanctions remain at the center of Brussels’ strategy to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.

The European Commission vice-president and head of the European External Action Service explained that some member states have requested the removal of certain individuals from the sanctions list, which is why talks on the matter are currently underway.

Kallas expressed the expectation that the discussions would conclude as soon as possible.

She stressed that stability is needed, which, according to her, means that sanctions must remain in force for a longer period. For this reason, Kallas added, work is underway on a new series of punitive measures.