European Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen said that European Union is working on a ninth sanction package against Russia for its attack on Ukraine.
Reuters quoted Leyen, during his recent visit to Finland, saying, “We are working hard to hit Russia where it hurts to blunt even further its capacity to wage war on Ukraine and I can announce today that we are working full speed on a ninth sanctions package."
Leyen added that they would very soon approve a global cap on Russian oil with G7 and other partners. Leyen said the European Union will not rest until Ukraine has prevailed over Russia and the unlawful war.
The European Union in October gave final approval to its eighth sanctions package against Russia over the conflict, including more restrictions on trade in steel and tech products, Reuters reported.
In a joint conference with the prime ministers of Finland and Estonia, and the deputy prime minister of Sweden, von der Leyen said Russia's attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure amounted to war crimes. "I also know our Ukrainian friends will overcome this strategy because they are strong and their cause is just and we, the EU, stand here by them in these very difficult times as long as it takes," Reuters quoted her saying.
Russia was designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by European Parliament on Wednesday for its attack on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Though Russia denied targeting civilians, Moscow argued that the attacks were aimed at reducing Kyiv's strength and pushing Ukraine to negotiate.
