The 19th package of sanctions against Russia has proven to be effective, European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas said in Greece on Thursday.
At a meeting with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Kallas said the sanctions target Russia’s energy, finance, and military industrial base to block millions of euros being used to fund the war.
“The new sanctions package will increase the pressure on Russia’s economy,” the diplomat stated. “They are not actually doing well; the sanctions are really working.”
Kallas stressed that most of Russia’s income comes from “the shadow fleet of dirty tankers”, which also poses a real environmental threat to the seas.
The former Estonian prime minister, however, observed that although over 550 ships are affected by the sanctions, the restrictive measures have not “killed the [Russia’s] business model yet.”
Kallas told Mitsotakis that further discussion was required on how Greece “can increase the cost for the Russians to sail their shadow fleet and not really affect our ships here.”
She described Greece as a committed and important partner of the EU, praising the member state for making vital contributions to the Common Foreign Security Policy.
Greek troops are currently working for the European Union’s Althea Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a mandate that has been extended by one year.
Kallas also commended the Balkan country for contributing ships to EU naval operations in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, helping to keep the waterways open.
“You are also a staunch supporter of Ukraine—diplomatically, militarily and financially,” Kallas said. “It is important because we see Russia not showing any signs of wanting peace.”
In response to the latest sanctions, Russia announced retaliatory measures last week, declaring that the “hostile actions” of the EU can not exert any influence on its policies.
