Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas with President von der Leyen on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia

European Commission -Speech [Check Against Delivery] Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas with President von der Leyen on the 18th package of sanctions against Russia Brussels, 10 June 2025 Good afternoon. This context, where we adopt this package proposal today, is very stark. It is clear that Russia does not want peace. Nothing suggests that Russia is ready for peace. On the contrary, Russia is escalating its war in Ukraine. Maternity hospitals, emergency medical wards, civilian houses and infrastructure are not military targets. This is an outright illegal war. Russia is cruel, aggressive, and a danger to us all and we act now to support Ukraine but also put the pressure on Russia. As the President said, the next round of EU sanctions against Russia will target Russia's energy revenues, including the shadow fleet, its military industry and its banking sector. On energy, like it was said, we propose adding another 77 vessels transporting Russian oil to the list, which would bring the total to over 400. When sanctioned, Russia's shadow fleet tankers cannot dock in ports and Russia has to find new vessels. This costs them more and runs down their profits. As president von der Leyen said, we are also proposing to lower the oil price cap from [$]60 to [$]45 – which is lower than the market price. And lowering the oil price gap will hit Russia's revenues hard. And we propose sanctions on the Nord Stream pipelines to prevent Russia generating any...