On 23 June, the EU Council adopted an eleventh package of sanctions against Russia. The economic and individual restrictive measures in this package are “intended to strengthen existing EU sanctions and crack down on their circumvention, thereby further eroding Putin’s war machine and his revenues,” according to the Council’s press release.
“Today’s package increases our pressure on Russia and Putin’s war machine. By tackling sanctions circumvention, we will maximize pressure on Russia by depriving it further of the resources it so desperately needs to allow it to pursue its illegal war against Ukraine,” said Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The package includes the following measures:
- Circumvention tool: EU will have the possibility to “take exceptional, last resort measures” against third countries used to circumvent the sanctions.
- Transit ban: the decision prohibits the transit of EU goods and technology exports to third countries via the territory of Russia, which may contribute to Russia’s defense or security sector.
- Import-export controls and restrictions: the Council sanctioned additional 87 entities directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex, including four Iranian entities producing drones used by Russia to attack Ukraine.
- Broadcasting: the EU Council extended the suspension of broadcasting licenses to five additional Russia-controlled media outlets: RT Balkan, Oriental Review, Tsargrad, New Eastern Outlook, and Katehon.
- Roads and ports: The EU extended the prohibition to transport goods into the EU by road to Russian-registered trailers and semi-trailers, including when hauled by trucks registered outside of Russia. Also, the Council prohibited access to EU ports and locks to any vessels that engage in ship-to-ship transfers.
- Energy: “The temporary derogation granted to Germany and Poland for the supply of crude oil from Russia through the northern section of the Druzhba oil pipeline will end. However, the oil which originates in Kazakhstan or another third country will be able to continue to transit through Russia and imported into the EU via the Druzhba oil pipeline.”
- Individual listings: the EU also sanctioned a “significant amount of additional individuals and entities.”
Read also:
- UK moves to use frozen Russian assets to help Ukraine rebuild – NYT
- Russians should go to 2024 Olympics in tanks – President of Russia’s Wrestling Federation
- SBU busted Kyiv company’s scheme used to help sanctioned Rosatom build five nuclear plants
