Belgium: The European Union Approves a New Sanctions Package Against Russia

Belgium, in its capacity as the current president of the European Union, announced on Wednesday that the bloc has agreed to impose the thirteenth sanctions package against Russia, confirming earlier reports from Reuters. The Belgian EU presidency stated on the social media platform X, "EU ambassadors have just agreed in principle on the thirteenth sanctions package against the Russian aggression in Ukraine," describing it as one of the most comprehensive packages approved by the bloc. The new package will include the addition of nearly 200 entities and individuals to the sanctions list, but it will not introduce new measures related to specific sectors. The EU will officially adopt the new sanctions package in tandem with the second anniversary of the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24.