The EU is preparing its most punishing package of sanctions against Russia.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said before a meeting of EU foreign ministers that the EU is discussing what is likely to be the strongest sanctions enacted against Russia since 2022 in response to its “unrelenting cruelty.” He added that Russia is intentionally carrying out deadly missile and drone strikes on civilian targets in Ukraine.

However, the Russian economy is increasingly suffering from the “colonial campaign” Putin has been waging for three years. Russia’s resources will be further drained by the upcoming sanctions, which will put additional pressure on Putin to agree to a ceasefire and start negotiations that lead to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Barrot emphasized that such a peace must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó announced that Hungary and Slovakia had blocked the adoption of the 18th sanctions package in response to the European Commission’s plan to halt Russian energy supplies. Budapest cannot veto the EC plan, as it needs a qualified majority to pass, so it chose to veto the sanctions.