EU approves 16th package of sanctions against russia

According to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, this new round of sanctions targets not only russia's shadow fleet, but also those who support the operation of dangerous oil tankers, video game controllers used to fly drones, banks used to circumvent sanctions, and propaganda tools used to spread lies.

“There is no doubt who the aggressor is, who should pay and be responsible for this war. Each package of sanctions deprives the kremlin of funds to wage war. As negotiations to end russia's aggression continue, we must put Ukraine in the strongest position possible. Sanctions provide leverage,” Kallas said.

The EU Council has agreed on individual sanctions against 48 individuals and 35 organizations responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

- 13 banks will be disconnected from SWIFT;

- 74 new shadow fleet vessels will be sanctioned. This brings the total number of vessels subject to sanctions to 153.

“This measure targets non-EU tankers that are part of putin's shadow fleet, which circumvents the oil price cap mechanism and supports russia's energy sector, or vessels responsible for transporting military equipment for russia or stolen Ukrainian grain,” the explanation says.

- Adds 53 new entities to the list of those who directly support russia's military-industrial complex in its aggressive war against Ukraine.

They will be subject to stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technologies that can contribute to the technological improvement of the russian defense and security sector.

“One third of these enterprises are russian, while others are located in third countries (China, including Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan) and were involved in circumventing trade restrictions or were involved in the purchase of sensitive goods needed, for example, for unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles used for russian military operations,” the explanation says.

- Suspend the broadcasting licenses of 8 russian media outlets in the EU;

- ban the import of primary aluminum;

- a number of ports and airports will be banned from transactions that circumvent oil price restrictions and other sanctions.

“The EU prohibits any transaction with certain listed ports, gateways and airports in russia that are used for the transfer of UAVs, missiles and related technologies and components to russia, or for the circumvention of oil price caps or other restrictive measures by vessels engaged in irregular and risky shipping. This includes access to their facilities and the provision of any services to ships and aircraft,” the EU Council said in a release on its website.

The agreed package also imposes additional restrictions on the export of goods and technology, including software related to oil and gas exploration, in order to further limit russia's exploration and production capacity. In addition, it extends the ban to the provision of goods, technology, and services for the completion of crude oil projects in russia, such as the Vostok oil project, similar to the completion of LNG projects currently in operation.

The Council also bans the temporary storage of russian crude oil and petroleum products in the EU, regardless of the purchase price of the oil and the final destination of these products.

In addition, today's package includes further restrictive measures against Belarus that mirror the trade-related sanctions agreed upon against the russian federation, as well as other measures such as restrictions on the sale or provision of services and software, crypto asset deposits and wallets, and transport.

Source: EU Council website