CNN: Europe heaps harsh sanctions on Russia, saying ‘strength is the only language’ Moscow understands

CNN reports that a new EU sanction package – the 18th since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against its neighbor Ukraine in 2022 – is designed to further target the Kremlin’s ability to make money from its oil and gas production.

The EU will fully sanction Nord Stream 2, the Russian pipeline still able to pump cheap gas to Europe, as well as decrease the price cap on Russia’s oil exports. In addition, some further banks and trading partners of Russia will be targeted.

But CNN says “the new package will need to be approved by the EU’s 27 member states. That could be complicated given previous concerns raised by some more pro-Kremlin governments, such as Hungary and Slovakia, about further sanctions targeting Russia.” This is, in fact a considerable obstacle, also as the Parliament of Slovakia decided against any further sanctions on Russia.