“Of course, on our part, in response to a new sanctions package from the European Union, we will follow with effective and tough measures,” Zakharova said at a press conference.

The diplomat also emphasized that the EU’s expansion of sanctions will not impact Russia’s sovereign policy.

“In Brussels, it seems they don’t want to understand at all that they have not achieved, nor will they achieve, their goals, namely, influencing our sovereign policy,” she added.

She noted that, “the Eurocrats are no longer able to stop the sanctions machine, and all they can do is threaten us with new restrictions, without asking themselves what these measures will lead to for Brussels itself.”

The 20th sanctions package against Russia was adopted by the EU on April 23. This broad set of measures strengthened restrictions in the energy sector, particularly regarding oil production, refining, and transportation.

The EU is currently working on a new sanctions package focused on the energy, finance, cryptocurrency, and fishing sectors, as well as a ban on entry for individuals who have served in the Russian Armed Forces since the start of the special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.

According to available information, the new package could also include restrictions on 31 additional banks, the sale of LNG carriers, and approximately 30 vessels belonging to the so-called ghost fleet.

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