Tsahkna: Sanctions must become tougher with each new package

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has shared his views on the 21st EU sanctions package against Russia via social media platform X. He highlighted that this package paves the way for future EU visa restrictions on Russian combatants, an initiative proposed by Estonia. According to Tsahkna, those involved in Russia's aggressive war should not be allowed to travel freely across Europe.

Tsahkna argued that with each new sanctions package, the measures must become tougher. The EU should continue to reduce Russia's energy export revenues, restrict its financial networks, close existing loopholes, and raise the price Russia pays for its daily and escalating terror against Ukraine.

Although Estonia advocated for an even tougher package, Tsahkna acknowledged that the EU is introducing additional measures, including maintaining the current oil price cap on Russian oil for another 12 months. He concluded that pressure must continue and intensify until Russia ceases its aggression.

The 21st sanctions package primarily targets the energy sector, financial services including cryptocurrency, trade, and Russia's military-industrial complex. A key decision is the extension of the oil price cap for another year. Without agreement among EU member states, the cap would have automatically increased in line with global oil price rises.