New package of EU sanctions will apply to another 160 Russians – European Commission President

The new package of EU sanctions in connection with the war between Russia and Ukraine provides for the expansion of the sanctions list to another 160 people, including oligarchs and members of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.

This was announced by the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.

"We are further strengthening the network of sanctions in response to Russia's military aggression against Ukraine. Sanctions against 160 people: oligarchs, members of the Russian Federation Council, the Belarusian banking sector, exports of maritime navigation equipment to Russia, adding cryptocurrencies," von der Leyen said on Twitter.

On Wednesday, a committee of EU permanent representatives approved the expansion of sanctions against Russia and Belarus for invading Ukraine.

In particular, measures were taken to exclude 3 Belarusian banks from the SWIFT system. Sanctions against the Russian maritime sector were also approved.

These sanctions will be formally adopted by the EU Council through a written procedure with a view to their prompt publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

A draft statement by EU leaders reportedly to be approved this week said the bloc was ready to impose new sanctions on Russia; Ukraine is not mentioned as a candidate country.