Stenergard (M): "We are in a world that is practically on fire"

The EU adds 1,600 new companies and actors to the Russian sanctions list. It is clear after the Union had its foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels on Monday.

- This is a historically large package that will also have an effect, says Sweden's Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) in Aktuellt.

The EU has long wanted to use frozen Russian assets, amounting to 210 billion euros, which are held in banks in Europe. This has been slowed down by, among others, Hungary, which during the Orbán government was pro-Russian.

Wants to phase out dependence on Russian energy

Another obstacle has been Belgium, which holds most of the frozen Russian assets. They have expressed concern that using the assets will mean problems for the country, in the form of Russian demands for repayment.

She also says that the goal is to completely phase out dependence on Russian energy by 2027, figures which currently amount to 215 billion euros according to the Government's own figures.

- It is an extremely important decision. A number of member states still import far too much.

"Limited opportunities to influence"

On Saturday, Donald Trump announced that the United States and Russia are entering into a new agreement, where Russia will deliver millions of tons of diesel to the United States.

- We have limited opportunities to influence the US, but we have full opportunities to influence how we act ourselves, says Stenergard.