Germany's Wadephul calls new EU sanctions 'unprecedented' blow to Russia

German foreign Minister Johann Wadephul described a new raft of punitive measures against Russia as an "unprecedented sanction blow" to President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine. "We are making it harder for Putin to continue his war of aggression in violation of international law, and his cynical attempt to wear down Ukraine's civilian population through murderous bombing campaigns," Wadephul said on Monday as EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg to finalize the sanctions package. It targets some 1,600 individuals and businesses related to Russia's war effort, and another 77 people and groups related to what the EU sees as illegal elections in occupied Ukrainian terrorities.