The EU has adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia: chinese companies and Putin’s “shadow fleet” are subject to restrictions
16 December 2024 16:27
The Council of the European Union has adopted a new, 15th package of economic and individual sanctions aimed at weakening Russia’s military and industrial complex and limiting its ability to wage war against Ukraine. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" citing the relevant document of the EU Council.
“Russia continues its brutal attack on Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken the Russian military machine and those who enable this war, including Chinese companies,”
– said Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in a nutshell
Key elements of the new sanctions package:
- 84 new individuals have been added to the sanctions list: 54 individuals and 30 companies. Among them are the military unit responsible for the attack on the Okhmadyt children’s hospital in Kyiv, heads of energy companies, individuals involved in the deportation of children and propaganda, as well as the DPRK’s Minister of Defense and Deputy Chief of General Staff.
- For the first time, full-fledged sanctions (entry ban, asset freeze) were imposed on Chinese companies that supply components for drones and microelectronics that support Russian military aggression.
- The list of ships banned from entering EU ports has been expanded to include 52 new vessels of Putin’s “shadow fleet” used to circumvent restrictions on oil prices or transport military equipment.
- 32 new companies from China, India, Iran, Serbia, and the UAE have been added to the list of enterprises supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex. They will be subject to stricter restrictions on the export of dual-use goods.
The package also includes measures to protect European companies from lawsuits filed by Russia and simplifies the process of European businesses leaving the Russian market.
EU sanctions against Russia
The European Union has previously introduced 14 sanctions packages against Russia in response to its aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions cover a wide range of measures aimed at weakening the Russian economy and limiting Russia’s ability to wage war.
Key sanctions include freezing the assets of Russian officials, including President Putin, restricting Russia’s access to EU financial markets, a ban on imports of Russian energy (coal, oil), and restrictions on exports of dual-use technologies and goods that could contribute to Russia’s military capabilities.
The EU also imposed sanctions against Russian banks, excluding some of them from the SWIFT system, banned Russian ships and trucks from accessing EU ports and territory, and restricted the activities of Russian media in the Union. In addition, restrictions were imposed on investments in the Russian energy sector and a ban on the export of luxury goods to Russia.
The sanctions also target individuals and organizations involved in the aggression against Ukraine, including politicians, military, businessmen and propagandists. The EU regularly expands its sanctions lists by adding new names and tightening existing restrictions.
The latest sanctions packages were aimed at combating sanctions circumvention, strengthening export and import controls, and restricting Russia’s access to technologies and goods that could be used for military purposes. the 14th package of sanctions for the first time affected Russian gas, but did not hit it. The 14th package also imposed sanctions on Russia’s SWIFT analog.
Follow us on Telegram: the main news in a nutshell
