BRUSSELS, February 21. /TASS/. Ambassadors of the European Union countries agreed on the 13th package of anti-Russian sanctions, which will come into force by February 24, according to a statement posted on the X account of the Belgian Presidency of the EU Council.

"EU Ambassadors just agreed in principle on a 13th package of sanctions in the framework of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This package is one of the broadest approved by the EU. It will undergo a written procedure and be formally approved for the 24 February," the post said.

According to sources, this is one of the weakest sanctions packages since the start of Russia’s special military operation. It entails blacklisting approximately 200 individuals and legal entities not only from Russia, but also from a number of Russian partner states, including China, Iran, and North Korea, whom the EU suspects of participating in Moscow's economic measures to counter Western sanctions.

Once approved by the EU Council at ministerial level, the sanctions must be published in the Official Journal of the EU to come into force.