The EU has begun preparing a 20th package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

The European Union is already preparing the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions. They were discussed at a meeting between Lithuanian Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas and European Commissioner for Financial Services and the European Union's Savings and Investment Union, Maria Louise Albuquerque, the press service of the Lithuanian Ministry of Finance reported.

Vaitiekūnas noted the need to continue pressure not only on Russia, but also on Belarus, given the “regular hybrid attacks.”

"We are pleased that the EU agreed on the latest round of sanctions at the end of October, the 19th, but further pressure must be increased <...>, in particular on the Russian energy and financial sectors. Therefore, we must begin serious discussions on the next round of sanctions," the Lithuanian minister stated.

The EU also needs to strengthen sanctions against Belarus, “bringing them into line with those in place against Russia and introducing additional restrictions,” Vaitiekūnas noted.

The process of imposing measures against Minsk is still in its early stages, Albuquerque clarified, according to TASS . "We are working with third countries, as some of them facilitate sanctions evasion," she added.

The EU imposed new sanctions against Russia on October 23. These included  a ban on LNG imports from 2027, measures against another 117 shadow fleet vessels, and travel restrictions for Russian diplomats within the bloc.

Moscow considers Western sanctions illegal. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said the country's economy "operates under a huge number of restrictions," and therefore has developed a "certain immunity" to this effect.

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