António Costa at EU Ambassadors Conference 2026: 20th package of sanctions against Russia may be approved today

Today, the European Union may approve the next, 20th package of sanctions against Russia, President of the EU Council António Costa said yesterday, 10 March, at the conference of ambassadors in Brussels.

“We must continue to put pressure on Russia to negotiate a just and lasting peace that is acceptable to Ukraine and that does not undermine Europe’s security,” he said. “I hope that tomorrow we will approve the rollover of current sanctions and approve the next package.”

In his speech, he also said that the “only one winner” in the ongoing war in the Middle East is Russia. 

“It [Russia] steadily undermines Ukraine’s position by flouting international law. It gains new resources to finance its war against Ukraine as energy prices rise. It profits from the diversion of military capabilities that could otherwise have been sent to support Ukraine. And it benefits from the reduced attention to the Ukrainian front as the conflict in the Middle East takes centre stage,” Costa told EU Ambassadors.

The EU Council President also spoke about the EU enlargement process – one of his “top priorities” since the first day of his mandate.

“Ukraine’s application for membership has generated a new dynamism, a new momentum, to the European Union’s accession process. This momentum is not limited to Ukraine alone but also extends to Moldova and all six of our Western Balkan partners,” Costa said. 

“Their future lies within the European Union, with accession based on a merit-based approach that ensures the highest standards for all. To make enlargement a reality in the coming years, we must take decisive steps. We should seize this momentum. We must respect the merit basis but feel a sense of urgency,” Costa said.

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