EU adds 1,600 companies and actors to Russia sanctions list

The EU will add 1,600 companies and other actors to its Russian sanctions list, Swedish broadcaster SVT reported after the bloc’s foreign ministers met in Brussels on Monday. Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard called it a “historically large package” that she said would have an effect.

Stenergard said it would be difficult to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table without increasing pressure on Russia and support for Ukraine.

The EU also aims to use frozen Russian assets worth 210 billion euros held in European banks. Hungary, under the Orbán government, has been among the countries slowing the plan. Belgium, where most of the assets are held, has raised concerns that using them could expose the country to Russian demands for repayment.

The bloc’s goal is also to phase out its dependence on Russian energy completely by 2027. Government figures put the current amount at 215 billion euros. Stenergard said some member states still import too much.

Asked about a new agreement announced by US President Donald Trump on Saturday for Russia to supply millions of tonnes of diesel to the United States, Stenergard said Sweden had limited ability to influence the US but could decide how it acted itself.