Statement by President von der Leyen with HR/VP Kallas on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

European Commission - Statement Statement by President von der Leyen with HR/VP Kallas on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia Brussels, 10 June 2025 Allow me to begin by saying a few words about the terrible events in Graz. I was devastated by the news this morning. The death of innocent children is the worst thing that can happen to a family or community. Today my thoughts are with the families of the dead, the injured and their friends and relatives. Schools are symbols of hope, future and youth. It is simply unbearable when they become places of violence and death. Today I mourn with Austria. And I thank the emergency services and all those providing assistance during these difficult hours. Let me continue on the topic of sanctions. We want peace for Ukraine. Despite weeks of diplomatic attempts, despite President Zelensky's offer of an unconditional ceasefire, Russia continues to bring death and destruction to Ukraine. Russia's goal is not peace, it is to impose the rule of might. Therefore, we are ramping up pressure on Russia. Because strength is the only language that Russia will understand. The Russian economy is deeply affected by the sanctions. 210 billion EUR of reserves of the Central Bank of Russia are immobilised. Russia's oil and gas revenues have fallen by almost 80% compared to before the war. Its deficit is skyrocketing. Interest rates are prohibitively high. Inflation is on the rise, well above 10%. The price of importing technologies...