Ukraine to prevent attempts by some capitals to remove Russian oligarchs from EU sanctions – Sybiha

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated this at a joint press briefing with his Latvian counterpart Baiba Braze in Kyiv on Thursday, November 27, Ukrinform reports.

"It is important to increase pressure on Russia so that the cost of further aggression against Ukraine rises every day – personally for Putin and for his regime. It is very important to move quickly toward adopting the 20th sanctions package. We have concrete ideas, in particular, first of all, to prevent the removal of oligarchs from sanctions lists," he said.

Sybiha noted that Kyiv is aware of attempts by certain countries to remove Russian oligarchs from existing sanctions lists. In his opinion, Ukraine and its partners should instead expand the list of oligarchs and individuals close to the Kremlin's leader.

He also said he had exchanged views with Braze on the use of tariffs against Russian goods, noting significant potential for action in this area.

"Even now, certain goods from Russia and Belarus continue to be imported into the EU. There are positions on which it is difficult to reach consensus, but we have an instrument such as introducing tariffs on specific categories of goods," Sybiha said.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas earlier confirmed that the EU had begun work on a new package of sanctions against Russia. The previous, 19th package, was approved on October 23 and aims, among other things, to further reduce Russia's revenues from gas and oil sales.

Kallas also said that the EU Council would discuss the latest developments in Ukraine as well as next steps to counter Russia's shadow fleet, whose activity helps finance the war.