Estonian Foreign Minister Expects 21st Sanctions Package To Be Tough

Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said he expects the 21st package of sanctions against Russia to be very tough. He said this in an interview with ERR. According to him, European leaders should make use of the first months of Peter Magyar as Hungary’s prime minister.

“The most critical issues are, of course, the upcoming sanctions packages. The 20th package has been adopted, the 21st is being prepared, and it will be quite tough, especially regarding energy resources.

But the most painful issue remains the enlargement of the European Union. Hungary has blocked this process for more than two years — we have not even opened the first negotiation cluster with either Ukraine or Moldova. In my view, this initial phase, when Magyar takes office and attends his first negotiations, should be used to secure a ‘maximum package’ by the June summit, when prime ministers meet again,” he said.

The final version of the 20th sanctions package did not include measures targeting the transportation of Russian energy resources. During discussions, a full ban on services related to maritime oil transport had been proposed. However, according to media reports, it was also opposed by EU countries operating large merchant fleets.