Ukraine and the World – Against russia’s Aggression. Sanctions in Action

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has announced that EU countries have begun negotiations on the 21st package of sanctions against russia. She specified that the new restrictions will target russia’s military-industrial complex and “shadow fleet”. She also pointed out that EU member states have agreed to impose sanctions against russia “on an ongoing basis”, without waiting for a large package to be assembled.

The Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children abducted by russia has grown to 49 members after the accession of Cyprus, Switzerland, Monaco, and Panama.

Another country has officially notified the Council of Europe of its intention to join the Enlarged Partial Agreement on establishing a Special Tribunal for russia’s Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. That country is Cyprus.

Canada has become the first non-European country to sign the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine.

Germany is allocating over EUR 10 million to the EU initiative to establish military training centers in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland intends to tighten export regulations for pharmaceutical and medical products to the rf, as the russians may use these products for military purposes.

“Economic sanctions and the political cost of aggression are depleting the kremlin’s resources, gradually bringing closer the moment of real negotiations to end the war against Ukraine,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria Beate Meinl-Reisinger. She also added that the Austrian government will no longer tolerate espionage activities on its territory, particularly those carried out by russia.

Ireland supports every step toward achieving lasting peace in Ukraine, believing it is necessary to strengthen sanctions against the aggressor state. This was stated by Thomas Byrne, Minister of State for European Affairs and Defense at the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland.

“Ukraine has already become part of the European security architecture, but the EU must do everything necessary to ensure Kyiv receives the support it needs to defend itself against russian aggression, and to do so as quickly as possible,” said Minister of Defence of Estonia Hanno Pevkur.

Ukraine knows its defense needs best, so the Ukrainian government should decide how best to use the funding from the EUR 90 billion EU loan. This was stated by Minister of Defence of Sweden Pål Jonson.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Kęstutis Budrys states that Europe must not ease pressure on the kremlin.

Senior Advisor to the President of Lithuania Asta Skaisgirytė has stated that she currently sees no grounds for resuming dialogue with russia. She is convinced that dialogue could be resumed if russia “takes steps to restore it, such as ending the war in Ukraine, withdrawing its troops from Ukraine’s territory, and putting an end to this military adventure.”

India has rejected russia’s proposal to supply liquefied natural gas, subject to US sanctions.

Clothing imports from China to russia keep growing rapidly: in the first three months of this year, they rose by 60% to $1.1 billion, compared to $679 million a year earlier.

“The government of the rf faces the task of balancing (cutting) the budget amid falling revenues,” said deputy prime minister aleksandr novak. According to him, the government will have to choose “priorities” among spending items, as oil prices have remained low, the ruble exchange rate is strong, and spending needs have increased, including for defense and security. The share of spending on security forces in the budget has reached 40%, compared to 24% before the full-scale war. Conversely, the share of social spending has fallen from 38% to 25% – the lowest level in the past 15 years.

The rf’s government has significantly lowered its growth forecasts for russia’s economy over the next three years. Economic growth in russia is expected to slow down to virtually zero this year.

The amount of state support received by small businesses through the national guarantee system in the first quarter fell by 28% compared to the same period last year.

Construction in russia is plummeting. According to “rosstat”, only 22.96 million square meters of housing were commissioned in the country from January to March. This is by 28.2% less than in the first quarter of last year.

russia is facing a shortage of welders. Indeed, by early 2026, demand for welders had risen by 65%.

Over the first four months of this year, steel production in russia fell by more than 9%.

Over the past year, russian bloggers have lost about 30–50% of their income. If current conditions persist, by the end of 2026 the cumulative decline in income compared to peak levels could average 20–35% across the market.

russian employers have begun laying off workers more frequently amid a deteriorating economic situation. In 2025, 25% of companies carried out layoffs, compared to 10% in 2023. At this, employers are increasingly trying to persuade employees to resign “voluntarily” or through mutual agreement without offering substantial compensation.

More than 40% of russians surveyed work more than 40 hours a week, and for 44% of them, overwork occurs more than once a week. Of those, half (50%) have experienced emotional burnout, 41% have faced health issues, and 39% have noticed a decline in their own productivity.

The “russian railways” (rzd) transport monopoly has extended restrictions on freight transport to the Black Sea port of Tuapse until May 31, 2026.

In russia, relatives of convicts have begun to be offered “monthly insurance” for their loved ones against illegal actions by pretrial detention center and prison administrations, as well as beatings by cellmates.

The rf intends to ban the game Minecraft.

The Office of the President of Lithuania has again stated that there are no conditions for political dialogue between Vilnius and minsk.

In January–April 2026, food prices in belarus rose by 7.9% compared to January–April 2025. This is significantly higher than the overall consumer price inflation rate, which stood at 5.7%.

belarus has more prisoners than any EU country. In 2024, there were 345 prisoners per 100,000 residents in the rb. The country ranks 22nd in the world in this regard.