EU beats on energy and finance: a new package of sanctions against Russia (video) has been announced
“Unfortunately, in the last month, Russia has demonstrated all its disdain for diplomacy and international law. It has made some of the greatest attacks of drones and missiles against Ukraine since the beginning of the war, hitting both government buildings and civilian buildings, in particular on our EU Office in Kiev, and the Our Union. The airspace of our union was broken in Poland and in Romania. Prohibition of imports of Russian liquefied gas into European markets.
Restrictions for large energy traders, including Rosneft and Gazprom oil. Freezing assets of companies related to Russian energy. "Russia's military economy is supported by fossil fuel revenues. We want to reduce these income. Therefore, we forbid the import of Russian LNG into European markets. It is time to block the faucet. We are ready for it," von Der Lyen emphasized. Additional sanctions for 118 shadow fleet vessels. In total, there are already more than 560 vessels under the restrictions.
Prohibition of transactions for new Russian banks and financial institutions in third countries. For the first time - restrictions on cryptocurrencies and cryptoplatform. Prohibition on transactions with banks connected to Russian alternative payment systems. New restrictions for organizations in special economic zones. "We focus on the financial loopholes that Russia uses to evade sanctions. We are imposing a transaction ban for additional banks in Russia and banks in third countries . . .
Thus, for the first time, our restrictive measures will touch cryptoplature and prohibited transactions in cryptocurrencies," she explained. Prohibition on direct export of technologies and military goods. Sanctions against 45 companies from Russia and third countries that assisted the military sector. "In the war -governed war, the cessation of Russia's access to key technologies is crucial, first of all, when it comes to drones. Our economic analysis is clear.
Our sanctions seriously influence the Russian economy," Von Der Lyen added. The President of the European Commission stressed that during the negotiations, partners report Russia's first requests to weaken sanctions. "So we know that our sanctions are an effective tool for economic pressure. And we will continue to use them until Russia is sitting at the negotiation table with Ukraine for just and prolonged peace," she summed up.
Recall that the EU has already approved 18 packages of sanctions against Russia, which cover the financial sector, energy, defense technologies and imports/exports. The new package is intended to increase the pressure and close the ways of bypassing previous restrictions. We will remind, at the beginning of the month Focus reported that the EU is preparing new painful sanctions against Russia.