The EU Council, which represents the bloc's 27 member states, said in a statement that it adopted "a 15th package of economic and individual restrictive measures with the objective of further limiting Russia’s ability to wage its illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine."
The Council added that the new punitive measures were "designed to address the circumvention of EU sanctions through targeting of Putin's shadow fleet and weaken Russia's military and industrial complex."
The EU Council said in its statement that it "agreed on a significant package of 84 listings, which consists of 54 persons and 30 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine."
It also announced that it "is adding further vessels to the list of those subject to a port access ban and ban on provision of a broad range of services related to maritime transport."
EU sanctions will also affect "32 new entities" added to "the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine," according to the statement.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: "Russia continues its brutal attack against Ukraine and Ukrainian people. This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia’s war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies."
She added: "It shows the unity of EU member states in our continued support to Ukraine. Our immediate priority is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position."
Kallas declared that the EU "will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military."
"There can be no doubt that Ukraine will win," she stated vehemently.
Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on February 24, 2022, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.
Monday is day 1,027 of Russia's war on Ukraine.
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Source: IAR, PAP, Ukrinform