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EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas delivers a joint statement on the "Philippines-EU Partnership" at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay, Manila, on the 24th of last month (local time). / Reuters-Yonhap

The European Union plans to significantly expand sanctions against Russia in the coming months, Reuters reported on the 17th (local time).

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said in an interview with German daily Die Welt that day that existing sanctions have blocked more than 1 trillion euros (about 1,635 trillion won), weakening Russia's ability to sustain the war, and that the EU will submit its largest package of Russia sanctions since the war in Ukraine began this fall. Kallas added that if the package is adopted, the number of sanctioned entities would increase by about one-third.

According to diplomatic sources, the European External Action Service (EEAS) plans to add about 1,600 individuals and entities linked to Russia's military-industrial complex to the new sanctions list.

Those designated face asset freezes, bans on financial transactions, and travel bans. The EU has already placed more than 3,000 individuals and entities on its sanctions list.

The EEAS plans to present the new list to member states in early September, aiming for adoption in October.

Reuters also reported that the EU plans to add individuals linked to child trafficking in Ukraine to a supplementary sanctions list, and will designate targets for hybrid provocations such as cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns in September as well.

The U.S. Senate also passed a bill earlier this month banning exports of American energy and products to Russia and imposing tariffs of up to 500% on Russian imports. Kallas said the passage of the Russia sanctions bill in the U.S. Senate has allowed Europe and the U.S. to cooperate more closely.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun