This move comes in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, marking the EU's 14th sanction package against the country. The sanctions are designed to make it increasingly challenging for third parties to bypass the measures implemented against Moscow since the conflict began in February 2022.
According to American Military News, the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, stated, "Our sanctions have already significantly weakened the Russian economy and prevented Putin from accomplishing his plans to destroy Ukraine, although he still continues the illegal aggression targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure." He further added that the 14th package of sanctions showcases the EU's unity in supporting Ukraine and limiting Russia's criminal activities against Ukrainians, including efforts to circumvent EU measures.
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The new sanctions package includes restrictive measures on an additional 116 individuals and entities deemed responsible for undermining or threatening Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. The EU is also arming itself with additional tools to crack down on circumvention, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining the pressure on Russia.
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Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United States, Britain, the European Union, Australia, Canada, and Japan have imposed thousands of sanctions on Russia. The primary focus of these measures has been Russian finances, particularly the networks that fund Moscow's war efforts.
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However, Russia has dismissed these new measures, arguing that the sanctions are ineffective and will ultimately harm the European Union. Aleksandr Grushko, Deputy Foreign Minister in Moscow, stated, "The purpose of the sanctions was to strangle the Russian economy and destroy the cohesion of society. The EU has achieved the opposite." The Russian Foreign Ministry also announced additional bans on individuals from politics, business, and institutions from entering Russia, although no further details were provided.
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As the conflict continues to claim lives, companies, entities, and individuals connected to Russia's defense and security sector have been added to growing lists compiled by Brussels, Washington, and their partners. These lists aim to curb Moscow's capacity on the battlefield. However, evidence suggests that Moscow can circumvent many of these sanctions and obtain key items for its military from third countries, despite Western attempts to halt these efforts.
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The EU's sanctions list now includes over 2,200 entities and individuals. In the energy sector, the bloc has banned reloading services for Russian LNG in EU territory for transshipment operations to third countries. The new package also outlaws the use of the System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS), a financial-messaging service developed by Russia's central bank to neutralize the effect of restrictive measures. Furthermore, it mandates EU operators transferring industrial know-how for the production of battlefield goods to third-country commercial counterparts to include contractual provisions ensuring that such know-how will not be used for goods intended for use in Russia.
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Earlier this month, the United States issued new sanctions targeting hundreds of individuals and companies for assisting Moscow in circumventing Western blocks on obtaining key technology, including seven Chinese-based companies. This move underscores the international community's ongoing commitment to holding Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine.
