Russia Sanctions Proposal from EU Commission to be Unveiled by Friday

In a significant move, the European Union (EU) is set to present its 19th sanctions package against Russia by Friday, with the United States President, Donald Trump, expressing his readiness to consider tightening sanctions against Moscow.

The upcoming sanctions are expected to target banks in two Central Asian countries, marking a continuation of a shift seen in recent packages where the focus has gone beyond Russian entities. The aim of these sanctions is to restrict financial channels linked to Moscow, with the stated goal being to end the war with Ukraine.

Ongoing discussions among EU member states are taking place regarding the new sanctions package. Diplomats have not disclosed which institutions may be added in the new sanctions package against Russia. However, it is known that the sanctions will focus on international actors considered to play a role in sustaining Russia's economic activities.

Central Asian countries are expected to be included in the 19th EU sanctions package. Specifically, the sanctions will target cryptocurrency service providers and financial institutions connected to Russia's SPFS transaction system in these countries. However, the exact banks affected have not yet been named.

This move comes after the EU's 18th sanctions package, which saw the sanctioning of two Chinese banks and India's Nayara refinery at Vadinar. The sanctioning of Chinese banks and the Indian refinery was viewed as a signal of Brussels' readiness to widen the scope of its measures.

President Trump is planning to speak to President Putin after meeting with various European leaders in Washington on Monday and Tuesday. The exact details about the new sanctions have not been provided yet. However, Trump has expressed his readiness to consider tightening sanctions against Russia.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that both the EU and the US are taking a firm stance against Russia's actions in Ukraine. The new sanctions are expected to have a significant impact on Russia's economy and its ability to sustain its activities in the region.