Brussels: The European Union (EU) on Monday imposed sanctions on almost 1,600 Russian people and companies linked to the nation's arms industry, notably targeting those suspected of involvement in making parts for drones and missiles.
In the biggest single listing of sanctions since the Kremlin launched full-scale war on Ukraine almost five years ago, the EU also targeted 77 people accused of organising, working on, or running in “sham elections” in occupied parts of Ukraine.
Announcing the sanctions, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that more than half of them “address the production chain for the ballistic missiles Russia uses to kill Ukrainian civilians every day.”
Meanwhile, several European leaders have called for more tougher sanctions on Russia.
Germany's Merz said that Russia not serious about peace, calling for tougher sanctions.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday said that European countries should increase sanctions on Russia and all Western nations should show their solidarity with Ukraine.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said that the EU sanctions had deprived Russia of €500 billion in resources, equivalent to more than three years of war effort.
(With inputs from AP via PTI & Reuters)