European officials call for intensified sanctions against Russia

During a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, Polish Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki advocated for continued and increased pressure on Russia. He highlighted the recent adoption of a major sanctions package targeting nearly 1,600 entities and individuals within the Russian military-industrial complex, as well as those involved in illegal elections in occupied Ukrainian territories. Bosacki urged the European Union to reconsider the use of frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's benefit and called for stricter visa policies, noting that Poland does not issue tourist visas to Russian citizens.

In Strasbourg, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas addressed the European Parliament regarding the necessity of maintaining economic pressure. She emphasized that sanctions are a critical tool as Russia shifts its strategy toward targeting civilians and the EU. Kallas noted that while bipartisan support in the United States previously moved toward tightening sanctions, recent shifts in U.S. policy have created concerns regarding the consistency of international pressure. She stated that Russia remains the primary obstacle to various ceasefire proposals and emphasized the need for a unified signal from the international community to end the conflict.