2026-01-29 18:28
publication
2026-01-29 18:28
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Brussels that on Thursday the European Union placed Russia on the EU's blacklist of countries with a high risk of money laundering.
Kallas assessed that including Russia on the blacklist would slow down and increase the costs of transactions with Russian banks.
The head of EU diplomacy also said during a press conference after the meeting of EU foreign ministers that work is underway on the 20th package of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. She added that preparations are also underway to grant Kiev a loan worth EUR 90 billion. “Any measures to limit Russia's financing of the war should be considered,” Kallas said.
The politician informed that the meeting of ministers also included a proposal to impose a ban on Russian military personnel from entering the Schengen area. As she explained, their presence was considered to pose a threat to security in the EU.
Kallas said that work is also underway to determine the European Union's contribution to security guarantees for Ukraine. In this case, the proposals range from expanding training on Ukrainian territory to supporting the country's accession to the EU and the development of its defense industry. – The EU will be present in Ukraine, she announced.
The Estonian politician admitted that it is crucial to hold Russia responsible for war crimes. – Last week, the EU allocated the first EUR 10 million to help establish a special tribunal for the crime of aggression. Russia started this war and must be held responsible, she declared.
From Brussels Jowita Kiwnik Pargana (PAP)
jowi/ rtt/
