EU preparing 'hard-biting' 18th package of sanctions towards Russia: von der Leyen

BRUSSELS - The European Union (EU) is preparing its 18th package of "hard-biting" sanctions targeting Russia's energy revenues, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday.

The measures will include restrictions on Nord Stream infrastructure, additional curbs on Russia's banking sector and a reduction of the crude oil price cap, she added.

Von der Leyen made the announcement after meeting US Senator Lindsey Graham in Berlin to discuss EU-US coordination on sanctions against Russia.

According to a European Commission statement, Graham pledged to intensify pressure on Russia and push forward a related bill in the US Senate next week.

The EU-US hard stance came as Ukrainian and Russian delegations resumed peace negotiations on Monday in Istanbul. Reports said the fresh direct talk between Ukraine and Russia aims to bring an end to the ongoing conflict after their last direct talks on May 16 failed to deliver a ceasefire agreement.

On the transatlantic tariff dispute, both the EU and the United States agreed that a negotiated solution before the end of the 90-day period would be the best outcome, the statement added.

On May 20, the EU adopted its 17th sanctions package against Russia, introducing the bloc's most extensive measures yet against the so-called "shadow fleet", banning a total of 342 Russian vessels from docking at EU ports.