Ambassadors from European Union (EU) member states have approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia, a source in EU institutions told reporters.
“The Committee of Permanent Representatives in the EU has approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia,” he said, adding that the approval of restrictions by EU foreign ministers is expected on May 20.
The package will come into force after being published in the Official Journal of the EU.
Earlier reports said that the 17th package of sanctions would include the EU blacklisting about 60 individuals and legal entities from Russia and its partners, as well as from 50 to 150 tankers that transport Russian oil.
The 16th package of EU sanctions against Moscow came into force on February 24, 2025.
Europe seeks to divide Russia into parts
President Milorad Dodik of Republika Srpska (entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina) told reporters on Wednesday that Europe seeks to divide Russia into parts and seize its energy resources, while Ukraine is just a springboard for this purpose.
“Of course, Ukraine became independent only because of Russia’s naivety at the time, when the Soviet Union collapsed. Meanwhile, even then, the goals of Europe, which has for centuries been striving to move eastward and take possession of Russia, were already visible. To do this, it needs to divide Russia into parts. Europe also wants to seize the country’s energy and mineral resources. Ukraine is just a springboard to achieve this purpose,” he stated.
“Probably, the Russian leadership of that time, which gave away Crimea, did not yet realize it and was naive. But now it is clear that such a hybrid state is unable to function,” Dodik stated. “Everything that happened on the territory of the former Yugoslavia during its disintegration was only a preparation for what is happening today. But even then, many people clearly realized what was going on,” he pointed out.
The Republika Srpska president added that the goals Russia has set for itself in Ukraine must be achieved.
“I don’t know what will happen to Ukraine. However, I can say for sure that the goals that the Russian leadership has set for itself must be achieved. This applies to territories, demilitarization and denazification throughout Ukraine,” Dodik stressed.