European Union member states have yet to reach consensus on the 11th package of sanctions aimed at Russia. Reports from Polish radio indicate that a formal decision did not emerge from the group of EU Permanent Representatives during their meeting on 12 May. As a result, discussions are expected to continue in the following week, underscoring the careful, deliberative process that characterizes EU sanctions policy.
Polskie Radio notes that the forthcoming package is set to concentrate on closing loopholes and blocking methods used to circumvent restrictions. In particular, the plan is to tighten controls and enhance enforcement to prevent third-country exports from being redirected into the Russian market through evasive channels.
According to the publication, should it be confirmed that certain goods bound for third markets end up entering Russia, these items would face an immediate export ban. The intention, it is said, is to apply a precautionary and meticulously reasoned approach before any restrictive measure is imposed, ensuring that enforcement is targeted and justified by evidence.
As the broadcasting outlet points out, such sanctions would be deployed after careful and methodical analysis. This underscores the EU’s emphasis on precision in design and the avoidance of unintended consequences while maintaining pressure on Russia through economic means.
In the run-up to a potential decision, reports from RIA Novosti, citing anonymous sources, suggested that EU foreign ministers might reach agreement on the 11th sanctions package during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting scheduled for 22 May. The fluctuating nature of these discussions reflects the political and strategic balancing act involved in aligning national interests with collective EU objectives.
Eric Mamer, head of the European Commission’s press service, indicated on 8 May that the Commission had submitted the 11th draft package to the EU member states for approval. This step marks a formal transmittal of proposed measures for review and potential adoption by the Council, a standard part of the EU’s decision-making process when it comes to sanctions policy.
Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, has stated that the 11th sanctions package will target the mechanisms used to circumvent previously imposed restrictions. The goal is to strengthen existing measures and close gaps that have allowed restricted goods and technologies to reach Russia, thereby maintaining pressure on Moscow while supporting the broader aims of EU foreign policy and security guarantees for member states and partners alike.