The Latvian Foreign Minister expressed hope for the early adoption of the 18th package of sanctions against Russia.

Riga is counting on the rapid adoption of the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions. This was stated on May 20 by Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braje before the meeting of the foreign ministers and defense ministers of the European Union (EU). Her words are quoted by the portal LSM.lv

"We want the 18th package of sanctions to be adopted fairly quickly. Proposals are already being prepared," Brazhe said.

The diplomat stressed that Latvia welcomes the UK's decision to adopt the next package of sanctions.

"These are sanctions, this is not just an acceptance of something <...> Pressure should be exerted on Russia," added Brazhe.

Package by package: The EU is determined to stop all trade with Russia

Experts assessed the likelihood of a radical scenario with the severance of trade ties.

On May 20, the head of EU diplomacy, Kaya Kallas, announced that the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) had approved the 17th package of sanctions against Russia. Kallas noted that the new measures are aimed at countering hybrid threats and supposedly protecting human rights. According to her, "new sanctions are already being developed."