The EU agrees on the thirteenth package of sanctions against Russia: it makes access to drones difficult and 2,000 people are already on the 'blacklist'

The EU machinery against Russia remains very active and the bloc agreed this Tuesday on the thirteenth package of sanctions against the Kremlin, just in the week that will mark two years since the invasion of Ukraine.. The final approval has been delayed for a few days due to a new blockade by Hungary. It also happens that this batch was approved shortly after the death of the Russian opponent Alexei Navalny, for which the EU holds Moscow directly responsible.

With this package of sanctions, the Union plans to add more companies and individuals to the 'blacklist', with a total of 2,000 people, among whom is Putin himself.. Regarding entities, the EU focuses on all those that contribute directly or indirectly to the war against Ukraine. Likewise, it plans to strengthen the mechanisms so that these approved measures are not avoided from Russia.. It is relevant in this new shortlist that Chinese and North Korean companies with strong ties to Moscow are included.

Another important point is related to a limit on Moscow's military development, especially with regard to the use of drones in the conflict.. “I welcome the agreement on our 13th sanctions package against Russia. We must continue to degrade Putin's war machine. With a total of 2,000 listings, we keep the pressure on the Kremlin high. We are also further cutting Russia's access to drones,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote on social media.

“This package is one of the largest approved by the EU. It will be submitted to a written procedure and will be formally approved by February 24,” recalled the Belgian presidency of the Council, with the focus precisely on the second anniversary of the war.. Sources consulted by 20minutos insist that support for Ukraine will be maintained over time, although some voices such as the High Representative, Josep Borrell, assure that we must be more specific in support, especially at a time when the Ukrainian counteroffensive has will remain frozen and the conflict will drag on without provision for a diplomatic channel.

Precisely, the head of European diplomacy also celebrated the step taken. “We are adding almost 200 people and entities to our package of designations, bringing the EU lists to more than 2,000. With this package, we are taking more measures against the entities involved in circumvention, the military and defense sectors,” said the Spanish leader.

The president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, spoke along the same lines.. “Russia is paying for its actions. Agreed 13th EU sanctions package will further shred Kremlin arsenal production and fragment its war chest. Two years after the first Russian missiles, our determination to support Ukraine is stronger than ever,” he said.