On Friday, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the 20th package of sanctions against Russia, which also includes a ban on the provision of services to tankers transporting Russian oil. The sanctions package, to be approved to mark four years since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, also targets Russian banks, cryptocurrency traders and metal exports. TASR writes about it according to the reports of the AFP and DPA agencies.
- The European Commission presented a new package of sanctions against Russia.
- The package includes a service ban on tankers carrying Russian oil.
- Russian banks and cryptocurrency trading will also be affected.
- Bans on the export and import of certain goods and services will be extended.
- The aim of the sanctions is to increase pressure on Russia before the anniversary of the invasion.
Von der Leyen: Pressure is the only language Russia understands
“Russia will approach the negotiations with sincere intentions only if it is under pressure. That is the only language that Russia understands. That is why we are intensifying our steps today. The Commission is presenting a new package of sanctions – the twentieth since the beginning of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine,” said von der Leyen in her post.
In the field of energy, the President of the EC stated that the bloc plans to introduce a complete ban on the provision of maritime transport related to the export of Russian oil. “This will further reduce Russia’s income from energy and make it difficult for it to find customers for its oil,” added the president.
Prohibitions on the provision of services for tankers and icebreakers
“We are adding 43 more vessels to the shadow fleet list, bringing the total to 640,” she said. In addition, the proposal envisages extensive bans on the provision of maintenance and other services for liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers and icebreakers.
In the area of financial services, the commission focused on Russia’s banking system – specifically, limiting Russia’s “ability to create alternative payment channels to finance economic activity.” The commission also plans to list another 20 Russian regional banks and also expects to take measures against cryptocurrencies, companies that trade in them and platforms that enable trading in cryptocurrencies, which the chairwoman says is intended to prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions.
A strong signal before the 4th anniversary of the Russian invasion
At the same time, the EC proposed to extend the export ban to goods and services worth more than 360 million euros. Import bans are to be extended to certain metals, chemicals and critical minerals.
“I call on the member states to quickly approve these new sanctions,” said the president.
“We would thus send a strong signal before the approaching 4th anniversary of this war. Our determination to support a free and sovereign Ukraine is unwavering,” emphasized von der Leyen.
