According to sources from the European Union, the European Commission is likely to suggest imposing penalties on vessels transporting North Korean military equipment to Russia, as well as on tankers that violate the G7’s price limit for Russian oil, Reuters highlights.
The European Commission is finalizing its proposal for a 14th package of sanctions against Moscow in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Western nations allege that North Korea is supplying weapons, including ballistic missiles, to support Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has reached a stalemate, with neither side making significant territorial gains.
In addition to targeting North Korean weapons shipments, the Commission aims to impose sanctions on oil tankers involved in transporting Russian oil outside the price cap set by the Group of Seven (G7) countries. A leaked document indicates that around 40 companies are expected to be added to the list of sanctioned entities.
These include Russian firms procuring military equipment and third-country companies from the United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, and China that have supplied Russia with electronics and components with military applications sourced from the EU and the U.S.
The Commission is currently engaging in informal discussions with EU member states this week before presenting its proposal to the Council for deliberation. The Commission has declined to provide further comments on this matter.
