The EU believes that anti-Russian sanctions are having the desired effect for Brussels and intends to continue enforcing them, said Anitta Hipper, spokesperson for EU diplomatic chief Kai Kallas.

“That's why we continue to do more, continue to work on the 17th sanctions package and support Ukraine,” the spokesperson said at a briefing in Brussels on Monday.

To a further question about whether the new sanctions would take into account military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, Kallas' spokesperson said, “We can't say anything at the moment because this is a matter of competence of the member states and all relevant work is confidential.”