EU countries have approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia

Permanent Representatives of 27 EU member states have approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine. Ukraine, TASS reports, citing a source in the delegation of one of the European countries in The Council of the EU.

"Yes, the permanent Representatives agreed on new sanctions this morning," the diplomat said.

According to Reuters, the countries The EU will ban the import of primary aluminum from the Russian Federation. The agency notes that sanctions will also be imposed on 73 vessels that are allegedly part of the "shadow fleet."

EADaily adds: according to Bloomberg, citing sources, the head of the State Department, Marco Rubio, assured allies in the EU that the United States would maintain sanctions against Russia until an agreement was reached on ending the war in Ukraine. Sources claim that Washington will not lift the restrictions even after the meeting of US President Donald Trump with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which may take place in the near future.

According to Bloomberg interlocutors, Rubio voiced the US position in a telephone conversation with a "group of European colleagues" after official talks with representatives of Russia, which took place on February 18 in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The State Department clarified that Rubio phoned the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, as well as the head of diplomacy. EU Kai Kallas.