EU Hits Russia with Sweeping 20th Sanctions Package
"The Commission is putting forward a new package of sanctions - the 20th since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The new package of sanctions covers energy, financial services and trade," von der Leyen said in a written statement.
The measures include what she described as “a full maritime services ban” on Russian crude oil, designed to further cut Moscow’s energy revenues.
“We are listing 43 more vessels part of the shadow fleet – reaching 640 in total. We also make it more difficult for Russia to acquire tankers to be used for the shadow fleet and add sweeping bans on provision of maintenance and other services for LNG tankers and icebreakers to further dent gas export projects,” von der Leyen noted.
Financial Clampdown
Von der Leyen detailed a second set of restrictions targeting Russia’s banking sector, including the listing of 20 additional regional banks.
“We will take measures against crypto currencies, companies trading them and platforms enabling crypto trade, to close an avenue for circumvention. We are also targeting several banks in third countries involved in facilitating illegal trade in sanctioned goods,” she added.
Trade and Export Controls
The package also tightens export bans on goods and services such as rubber, tractors, and cybersecurity support. New import prohibitions will cover metals, chemicals, and critical minerals not previously sanctioned.
“We introduce further export restrictions on items and technologies used for Russia's battlefield effort, such as materials used to produce explosives. We propose a quota on ammonia to cap existing imports,” von der Leyen said.
For the first time, the EU will activate its Anti circumvention tool, blocking exports of computer numerical control machines and radios to jurisdictions deemed at high risk of re exporting to Russia.
“Finally, we propose stronger legal safeguards for EU companies to protect them from violations of their IP rights or from unfair expropriation in Russia due to abusive court rulings in connection with sanctions,” von der Leyen added.
Call for Swift Action
Von der Leyen urged EU member states to endorse the package quickly.
She said the measures should be adopted “swiftly” to “send a powerful signal ahead of the grim fourth anniversary of this war.”
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