The Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Valdis Dombrovskis, announced this Thursday that the European Commission has already started work on a twenty-first package of sanctions against Russia, in response to the increase in its threats and hybrid operations directed against the EU member states and, in particular, against the Baltic countries.
"Regarding sanctions, yes, we are working on the 21st package of sanctions, as we see that Russia is now, in fact, intensifying its threats and hybrid operations against EU member states," the commissioner stated at a press conference in Brussels, when questioned about the possibility of new restrictive measures against Moscow.
Two weeks ago, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Policy, Kaja Kallas, had already announced that the Twenty-Seven had been asked to submit their proposals for this new package, with the aim of it being approved before the end of the summer.
In this context, Dombrovskis stressed that Russia and Belarus "are directly responsible" for the drone incursions that endanger the lives and safety of the population of the Baltic countries and the eastern flank, and insisted that the public threats made by Moscow against the Baltic states are "completely unacceptable."
At the same time, he assured that the EU "will respond with unity and firmness" and will continue to strengthen the protection of its eastern flank "with solid collective defense and preparedness at all levels," in line with the message conveyed this Wednesday by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.