EU adopts 13th sanctions package against Russia

The European Union has adopted the 13th sanctions package against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Rubryka reports, citing the EU Council website.

"The Council adopted today — in view of the second year mark of the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine — a thirteenth package of restrictive measures against Putin's regime, those who are responsible for perpetuating his illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression and those who are significantly supporting it," the announcement said.

The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated that as we approach the sad milestone of two years since Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union continues to exert pressure on Russia.

"Today, we are further tightening the restrictive measures against Russia's military and defence sector, targeting further entities in third countries who supply equipment as well as those responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children. We remain united in our determination to dent Russia's war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate fight for self-defense and restore its independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty," he noted.

Sanctions Details

The EU Council has decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 106 individuals and 88 legal entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence.

The new lists agreed upon today primarily target the military and defense sectors and related individuals, including those involved in supplying weapons from North Korea to Russia, as well as representatives of the judiciary, local politicians, and individuals responsible for the illegal deportation and military indoctrination of Ukrainians, including children.

"Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to over 2000 individuals and entities altogether," the announcement specifies.

The assets of these individuals are subject to freezing, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from investing in them. Additional travel bans are imposed on individuals, preventing them from entering EU territory or transiting through it.

Import-Export Control and Restrictions

The EU Council has added 27 new organizations to the list of those directly supporting the Russian military-industrial complex in its aggressive war against Ukraine. Stricter export restrictions on goods and technologies of dual-use goods and technologies that could contribute to the Russian defense and security sector's technological advancement will apply to them.

Some of these companies are located in third countries (India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Turkey) and are involved in circumventing trade restrictions, while others are Russian companies engaged in the development, production, and supply of electronic components for Russia's military-industrial complex.

Today's decision also expands the list of prohibited goods that could contribute to the technological advancement of the Russian defense and security sector by adding components for developing and producing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Finally, the EU has introduced additional restrictions on the export of goods that, among other things, contribute to strengthening Russia's industrial potential, such as electric transformers.

Iron and Steel

Today's decision adds the United Kingdom to the list of partner countries applying a package of restrictive measures on the import of iron and steel from Russia, as well as a package of import control measures, which are essentially equivalent to EU measures.

What we know about the 13th package

The 13th sanctions package against Russia was supposed to be adopted by EU foreign ministers in Brussels on February 19, but its content was not yet final.

On February 15, it became known that Hungary was the only country that did not support the package at the meeting of EU ambassadors. An official said Hungary disagreed with the new sanctions because of the inclusion of Chinese companies on the list.

The European Union plans to impose an embargo on Russian aluminum as part of the 13th sanctions package. Also, the EU plans to focus on Russian imports rather than exports.

EU countries want to create additional obstacles for Russia to acquire components it cannot produce and needs for high-tech weapons, such as guided missiles.

On February 20, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa said the European Union is already preparing a new sanctions package against Russia, which could be announced this week.

On February 15, Hungary was the only country at a meeting of EU ambassadors that did not support the 13th sanctions package. An official explained that Hungary disagreed with the new sanctions because Chinese companies were included in the list.

Rubryka also reported that the United States plans to announce new sanctions against Russia following the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison.