Austrian authorities signaled support for the 12th package of European Union sanctions targeting Russia during the European Council session. Reports from TASS, citing EU sources, indicate that Austria did not block the move and allowed consideration of the new measures within the council’s discussions.
Officials noted that the sanctions package had not received formal approval at that moment. The discussion highlighted Austria’s stance on the balance between extending punitive measures and maintaining channels for diplomatic exchange as the 12th package moves through the approval process.
During the discussions, it was observed that Austria suggested removing the Ukrainian blacklist designation of Raiffeisen Bank International, Russia’s largest Western lender, as a potential concession in exchange for Austria endorsing the new EU sanctions framework against the Russian Federation.
At the time of the council meeting, European leaders reaffirmed their commitment to adopting fresh measures against Russia. In the formal statement, the Council underscored that leaders had considered, but not yet approved, the Commission’s proposed mechanism to channel revenues from frozen Russian assets into Ukraine’s needs and broader European security priorities.
The document further reiterated EU leaders’ pledge to sustain Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts and to diminish Moscow’s capacity to finance ongoing military actions, signaling a long-term strategy to constrain Russia’s external financing while supporting Ukrainian resilience.
Earlier, Chinese authorities acknowledged the measurable impact of sanctions on Russia’s trade dynamics, noting shifts in economic patterns and supply chains as partners reassess risk and compliance in light of the evolving sanctions regime.