EU mulls over "unprecendented amount" of sanctions against Russia

Speaking in Warsaw alongside Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, O'Sullivan said the latest round of sanctions completed the most exceptional range of sanctions that the EU have against Russia in response to its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"An unprecedented degree of sanctions, seeking to deny Russia access to the technology needed for sophisticated weaponry, to reduce the revenue available to the Russian government and to impose a high cost on the military-industrial complex for this devastating war and this unprovoked aggression," O'Sullivan added.

Diplomats say they are racing to iron out the 14th package before Hungary takes over the EU presidency in July.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who maintains ties with Russia's President Vladimir Putin, has previously tried to block aid to Ukraine and restrictions on Moscow.

Sanctions require unanimity in order to be adopted.

Sikorski said at the conference that he and O'Sullivan discussed Poland's efforts to support the latter's office. He mentioned progress made in preparing an amendment to the existing law concerning sanctions imposed on Russia.

"We discussed trends in circumventing sanctions and we discussed work on further packages of sanctions, which will include new individuals and goods, but also improve their enforcement," he added.

Sikorski then urged Polish entrepreneurs to make sure that the products they order do not come from countries subject to sanctions.

"I have a message, first of all, for our Polish enterprises: circumventing European sanctions is a crime," he stressed.

"Please think twice, check - we provide information at the MSZ (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), customs offices, at the KAS (National Revenue Administration - to avoid exposing yourself and your companies to very serious consequences," the minister added.