European Union foreign ministers are set to impose further sanctions on Monday against individuals and entities responsible for the deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children by Russia.
At a meeting in Brussels, ministers are expected to agree measures targeting more than 20 people and organizations. The sanctions would include asset freezes within the EU and entry bans for individuals.
On the sidelines of the meeting, an international coalition working to secure the return of Ukrainian children will also convene, with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expected to attend.
The European Commission says around 20,000 Ukrainian children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territories since the start of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022, with man forced to change their identity and citizenship and placed for adoption. Despite international efforts, only about 2,100 children have so far been returned.
EU foreign ministers are also due to discuss possible sanctions over Israeli settlement activity in the occupied West Bank. Specifically, the aim is to reach an agreement in principle to impose punitive measures on Israeli settlers.
Several EU countries are also pushing for the European Commission to propose tariffs on imports of goods produced in Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories. However, divisions remain within the bloc, with some governments — including Germany — opposing such trade restrictions.