The 17th package of EU sanctions against Russia may turn out to be the weakest

This package, presented this week by the European Commission to the 27 EU member states and made available to Radio Free Europe, does not contain any powerful economic measures against the Kremlin.

Instead, it provides for more asset freezes and visa bans on various individuals and organisations, mainly Russian citizens and companies linked to the defence industry. It also proposes banning 98 more ships from Moscow's so-called shadow fleet from EU ports, bringing the total number of such ships on the list to 250. Export restrictions are being imposed on 35 companies, most of which are Russian, with the rest from Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

According to EU officials this package is expected to be approved at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on 20 May. The European Union wants to demonstrate that Russia's numerous attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure in recent weeks will not go unpunished. Approval is expected to be swift, as the new measures are so non-confrontational that even Hungary, which is sceptical about sanctions, is likely to support them without objection.

Source: Radio Liberty