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Statement by President von der Leyen on the 20th package of sanctions against Russia

Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine will soon reach 1500 days. In the entire last year, Russian forces advanced on average between 15 and 70 metres per day.

They seized just about 0.8 percent of Ukraine's territory, despite the heaviest casualty rate suffered by any military offensive since the second World War.

While Ukraine continues to defend itself with extraordinary courage on the battlefield, the Kremlin is doubling down on war crimes, deliberately striking homes and civilian infrastructure. Energy facilities and heating systems have all been targeted, leaving entire communities without power in freezing temperatures.

This is not the conduct of a state seeking peace. It is the behaviour of a nation waging a war of attrition against an innocent civilian population.

As important peace talks are underway in Abu Dhabi, we must be clear-eyed: Russia will only come to the table with genuine intent if it is pressured to do so. This is the only language Russia understands. That is why we are stepping up today. The Commission is putting forward a new package of sanctions - the 20th since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The new package of sanctions covers energy, financial services and trade.

On energy, we introduce a full maritime services ban for Russian crude oil. It will slash further Russia's energy revenues and make it more difficult to find buyers for its oil. As shipping is a global business, we propose to enact this full ban in coordination with like-minded partners after a decision of the G7.