Brussels: The European Council on Friday urged all countries seeking EU membership to join sanctions against Russia over its military operation in Ukraine.
“The adoption of the sixth package of EU sanctions further intensifies pressure on Russia to end its war against Ukraine. Work will continue on sanctions, including to strengthen implementation and prevent circumvention. The European Council calls on all countries to align with EU sanctions, in particular candidate countries. Work should swiftly be finalised on the Council decision adding the violation of Union restrictive measures to the list of EU crimes,” the Council said in conclusions, following the two-day summit in Brussels.
On Thursday, the heads of state and government of the European Union approved the granting of Ukraine and Moldova the status of candidates for joining the union. The European Council will take further steps after the candidate countries fulfill the conditions formulated by the European Commission.
Currently, Albania, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine are EU candidate countries. Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Georgia are potential EU candidates.
