The European Union intends to appoint a sanctions envoy who will push for tougher enforcement of sanctions in various countries, including Turkey.
This is reported by the Financial Times with reference to sources.
According to the newspaper, David O'Sullivan, the former EU ambassador to the US, has been offered a new position from January, with the authority to lead the European Commission's efforts to ensure full compliance with sanctions around the world.
According to a senior EU official, the Commission is expected to confirm the appointment on Tuesday. It comes as the EU, US and other allies focus on closing loopholes in their sanctions against Vladimir Putin's regime.
Among the countries on which the EU is focusing its attention is Turkey, which has refused to comply with EU sanctions adopted against the Kremlin.
The US and the EU, in particular, demand that Ankara step up its fight against the supply of prohibited goods by traders who try to circumvent strict export controls on industrial and defense products imposed on Russia.
The new EU position will partially duplicate the role of US sanctions coordination chief Jim O'Brien, whose job involves strengthening cooperation with US allies on sanctions.
O'Sullivan is now the director of the think tank "Institute of International and European Affairs". Previously, he worked as the EU ambassador to the US from 2014 to 2019, and before that he held senior positions in the European Commission, including director general for trade.
It will be recalled that the member states of the European Union have not yet agreed on the ninth package of sanctions against Russia, perhaps the decision will be made on Monday evening.