EU to finalize 13th sanction package against Russia ahead of invasion anniversary

These discussions mark the final step before the Commission formally presents the new package for debate and voting by EU countries in the European Union Council.

The EU plans to adopt the 13th sanction package before the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion on Feb. 24.

The European Commission is expected to focus on closing loopholes for sanctions evasion, particularly for goods that could be used in battlefield, and introducing new lists of sanctioned individuals and entities.

New import bans and some other minor sectoral measures are also anticipated. Poland and the Baltic states advocating for a ban on Russian aluminum and liquefied natural gas imports.

UK's National Crime Agency arrested the former "governor" of occupied Sevastopol, Dmitry Ovsyannikov, for evading sanctions on Jan. 31.

Switzerland joined the EU's 12th package of sanctions against Russia the same day.

The EU agreed to allocate profits from frozen Russian assets for the reconstruction of Ukraine on Jan. 30.