EU countries agree on new Russia sanctions

The EU countries Have because of the persistent War of attack against Ukraine to a new package with Russia sanctions. Among other things, it provides for a further tightening of the procedure against the so -called Russian shadow fleet for the transport of oil and oil products, as diplomats reported after a coordination in the committee of the constant representatives of the 27 Member States.

It is also planned to target dozens of other companies that are involved in the bypass of existing sanctions or support the Russian armaments industry.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the agreement as a further sign that the pressure on the Kremlin is maintained. « This war must end, » she wrote in social networks.

Overall, according to the Leyens 189 other ships, the entry in ports in the EU is to be banned. Likewise, the operators would no longer be able to benefit from the services of European companies. According to the plan, around 30 economic actors will be affected by new export restrictions. 75 other people and companies should no longer be allowed to do business in the EU and also have to fear warranty closures.

The new sanctions will be formally decided at an EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting next Tuesday and then come into force immediately. Other punitive measures against organizations and people are also planned for the spread of false news and violations of human rights.

Fear of oil disaster

The sanctions against the ships are primarily concerned with the limitation of Russian exports, but also about environmental protection. Russia has long been accused of relying on ships to circumvent a western price lid for oil exports in third countries that have not been insured in the hands of Western shipping companies or western insurance companies.

According to experts, there are major risks for shipping and the environment. For example, they point out that many tankers are outdated, have technical defects and are temporarily on the move without automatic identification system.

The last EU with Russia sanctions so far had been decided in February, to match the third anniversary of the war against Ukraine. Above all, it included new trade restrictions, steps against Russian media and measures against the so -called shadow fleet.