The European Union’s 27 member states officially approved on Thursday the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, following Slovakia’s withdrawal of its initial reservations. The new measures, adopted in Brussels, include a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) as well as restrictions on financial and trade services.

According to an official EU statement, the package also introduces a new mechanism to limit the movement of Russian diplomats within the Union, as part of efforts to curb Moscow’s influence operations in Europe.

The sanctions aim to tighten economic pressure on Russia amid its ongoing war in Ukraine, with EU leaders reiterating their commitment to support Kyiv “for as long as it takes.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Brussels on Thursday to attend the EU summit, where discussions centered on the bloc’s continued political, military, and financial backing for Ukraine.