According to Reuters, European Union states hold a first discussion on 10th May, on proposed new sanctions over Russia’s war in Ukraine that would target Chinese and Iranian firms and allow export curbs on third countries for busting existing trade restrictions.
In particular, talks among EU envoys start at 0800 GMT and are set to be heated. Several diplomats said that the widely different perspectives being brought to the discussions meant that a quick deal was not expected.
The EU’s chief executive unveiled the plan on a symbolic trip to Kyiv on Tuesday – a counterbalance to annual celebrations in Moscow of the World War Two victory over Nazi Germany that President Vladimir Putin likens to his invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen said the new sanctions would focus on cracking down on circumvention of Russia trade curbs already in place, and were designed “in very close coordination” with Group of Seven (G7) nations.
If we see that goods are going from the European Union to third countries and then end up in Russia, we could propose to the member states to sanction those goods’ export. This tool will be a last resort and it will be used cautiously.
…Von der Leyen said.
She added the EU would stop transit via Russia of more of its exports, including advanced tech products and aircraft parts.
The new sanctions would also highlight that oil tankers are not allowed to offload in high seas or arrive in ports with their GPS trackers off, an attempt to push back against flouting G7 restrictions on trading Russian oil, according to the sources.
As explained, all 27 EU countries must agree for new sanctions to take effect in what would be the bloc’s 11th round of such measures since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
To remind, on 1st March 2023, EU has adopted a package of sanctions against Russia, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The tenth package of sanctions was adopted as the world marked one year since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, targeting 121 entities and individuals.
