On the anniversary of the start of the war: the EU plans new sanctions against Russia

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 iQNQmc”>

According to information from the German Press Agency, it significantly expands the list of people and institutions whose assets should be frozen in the EU.

In addition, other companies that contribute to Russia’s military and technological strengthening or to the development of its defense and security sector should also be punished. Goods and technologies for military use may no longer be sold to them from the EU. Recently, the EU has also used this tool to target companies based in China, Uzbekistan, Iran and the United Arab Emirates that are allegedly involved in circumventing EU punitive measures.

More than 200 new destinations?

According to information from the DPA, the specific proposals for what is now the thirteenth sanctions package were presented this weekend by top European Commission officials to representatives of the Member States. The next step is to develop a draft sanctions decision, which all 27 Member States must then formally agree to. According to the plans, significantly more than 200 people and businesses could be affected by the additional punitive measures.

The latest EU sanctions package against Russia to date included a ban on the import of diamonds and diamond jewelry from Russia into the European Union. There has long been a far-reaching import ban on crude oil, coal, steel, gold and luxury goods, as well as punitive measures against banks and financial institutions.

Extraordinary returns for Ukraine?

On the anniversary of the war of aggression, in addition to the thirteenth sanctions package, a decision could also be made on the long-planned skimming of the proceeds from the safekeeping of frozen funds of the Russian Central Bank for Ukraine. According to diplomats, the agreed procedure provides as a first step to ensure that extraordinary income from the custody of assets of the Russian Central Bank is kept separately. In a second step, the intention is to forward part of the money to Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia. However, further legal texts need to be developed for this.

Estimates suggest that annual revenues could amount to billions as, according to the Commission, more than €200 billion of the Russian central bank has been frozen in the EU and income from capital custody is constantly increasing. (SDA)

Source: Blick