Brussels has accelerated work on the tenth package of sanctions against Russia, with EU member state leaders wanting to adopt a new package before the EU-Ukraine summit in Kyiv, scheduled for early February.

The ninth EU sanctions package was adopted in December. Although member states advocating for a tougher sanctions policy towards Russia were not entirely happy with this decision, it was driven by the belief that the EU should demonstrate unity on this issue at the end of the year.

As a result, some countries agreed to make concessions and give up some of their demands in order to reach consensus among the 27 EU member states.

Work on the next package has been gaining momentum in Brussels in recent days, and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, hinted at the issue on 10 January. "We will put pressure on the Kremlin with sanctions as long as necessary. We will extend sanctions to those who militarily support Russia's war, such as Belarus and Iran," she said, without elaborating.

According to Polish news agency PAP sources indicates that this rhetoric is, however, followed by specifics. Andrzej Sadosz, the Permanent Representative of Poland to the EU, has confirmed this. "The work has really accelerated. Poland in a group of like-minded countries is now suggesting further sanctions. Strengthening the existing restrictions is also an ongoing process," he said.

According to the EU diplomat, the reason for the acceleration is the upcoming Ukraine-EU summit, and the catalyst is the approaching anniversary of the war.

EU diplomats are reluctant to talk about the details of the new package, as they emphasise that it is important not to lose the effect of surprise.

"Once again there is an attempt to extend sanctions on the export of Russian diamonds. The value of diamond exports to the Russian budget is estimated at €4.5 billion. This is a considerable amount," the EU diplomat said. 

New sanctions will also apply to products that can potentially be used by the Russian military. The sanctions lists are also planned to be expanded to include more individuals responsible for Russia's aggression against Ukraine and war crimes.

Belarus will also face new sanctions for continuing to support Russia's military actions against Ukraine. In this case, according to one of the diplomats, it is about "synchronisation of Belarusian sanctions with the Russian ones, especially sectoral sanctions in those areas where Minsk cooperates with Moscow militarily".

The adoption of sanctions in the EU always requires unanimity. In this context, some diplomats fear that Hungary may delay the adoption of new restrictions, as it did in the past.

The Hungarians have stated they would not agree with some names on the sanctions lists. Further tensions with Budapest can be expected, the EU official said.

Dmytro Kuleba, the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, advocated that in 2023, the West should impose sanctions against Russian Patriarch Kirill (Vladimir Gundyayev) and bring about the collapse of the Russian defence industry.