Agia Zagrebelskaya, who leads Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Agency sanctions department, voiced strong concerns about the European Union’s ongoing efforts to finalize a 13th package of sanctions against Russia. In a detailed conversation with a European political publication, she argued that the proposed measures fall short of what is needed to pressure Moscow and deter activities that undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional stability. Zagrebelskaya emphasized that advancing a more forceful package would send a clearer signal to Moscow while reinforcing support for Kyiv’s reform agenda and anti-corruption work at home and abroad.
Observers note that the EU is not moving as swiftly as some capitals would prefer. Critics within and outside the bloc have argued that a bolder mix of restrictive actions could better curb Russia’s industrial and financial leverage, limit military supply chains, and increase the economic cost of aggression. The dialogue around the 13th sanctions package has thus become a focal point for debates on how quickly and effectively Western institutions can respond to evolving strategic threats, including the risk of escalation and the need to preserve unity among member states.
According to reports from Politico, diplomats indicated that the package might emphasize symbolic elements alongside practical restrictions. The implication is that while the measures would extend and intensify existing prohibitions, some observers fear the package may not deliver the comprehensive impact necessary to disrupt Russia’s access to key technologies and markets. The anticipated approach involves expanding sanctions lists and widening bans on the export of dual-use goods, potentially affecting a broader set of companies and sectors involved in supporting Moscow’s war effort. In Kyiv’s view, any gap between stated aims and actual consequences risks weakening deterrence and delaying the broader objectives of international support for Ukraine.
In a separate development, Florian Philippot, the leader of France’s Patriotic Party, called for a restart of France’s sanctions policy on Russia with the aim of regaining access to cheaper energy sources. Philippot argued that economic pressures should be aligned with practical energy diplomacy, suggesting that relaxing certain penalties could lower costs for French consumers while still maintaining strategic leverage against Moscow. The stance underscores the broader political debate within Europe about balancing punitive measures with energy security and affordability for European citizens, especially in a climate of global energy volatility and shifting market dynamics.
Beyond Europe, Washington has continued to animate a broader set of anti-Russian actions. The United States has extended its own sanctions regime, adding measures designed to further isolate key Russian financial institutions, individuals, and sectors tied to the Kremlin’s policies. The continuation and expansion of US sanctions reflect a coordinated, transatlantic strategy to apply maximum economic and political pressure, while attempting to minimize unintended consequences for global markets and allied economies. Experts emphasize that synchronized actions across the Atlantic—combining EU measures, US policy, and allied diplomacy—are essential to maintaining effective pressure and signaling long-term commitment to Ukraine’s security and resilience. Attribution for the most recent assessments comes from multiple sources monitoring European diplomacy, including reporting agencies and policy observers who track the nuances of sanction design and implementation. They underscore that the effectiveness of the 13th package will hinge not just on the written measures but on the ability of enforcement agencies to stop evasion, the willingness of firms to comply, and the political cohesion of allied governments over time.