NNA - The EU Foreign Affairs Council approved the 16th package of economic and individual sanctions on Russia on Monday, the Council press service said.

"This new round of sanctions not only targets the Russian shadow fleet but those who support the operation of unsafe oil tankers, videogame controllers used to pilot drones, banks used to circumvent our sanctions, and propaganda outlets," EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said.

It is necessary to "put Ukraine in the strongest possible position" at the peace talks, and "sanctions provide leverage," Kallas said.

According to the statement, sanctions against 48 individuals and 35 entities "responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine" have been approved.

Additionally, the Council established two new criteria "that will allow the EU to impose restrictive measures on individuals and entities that own or operate vessels of Putin's shadow fleet" and those "benefitting from Russia's military and industrial complex."

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