The EU adopted the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes measures against the so-called shadow fleet of third countries, which allows Russia to export oil and natural gas by circumventing Western sanctions.
Today’s package targets 52 ships from Russia’s shadow fleet. These (non-EU) ships are subject to a ban on access to EU ports as they have been found to be involved in high-risk shipping practices when transporting Russian oil or oil products, arms deliveries, grain theft or supporting the Russian energy sector. The EU stresses that the sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet also address the serious risks to maritime safety and the environment posed by its often old and underinsured ships. “The EU will continue to closely monitor trade in Russian oil changes and different practices aimed at circumventing the oil price cap, both in terms of compliance by G7 operators and shadow fleet activities,” it said. in the announcement.
EU High Representative Kaya Kalas said: “These measures are designed to counter the circumvention of EU sanctions by targeting Putin’s shadow fleet and weakening Russia’s military and industrial complex. Russia continues its brutal attack against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. This sanctions package is part of our response to weakening Russia’s war machine and those who enable that war, including Chinese companies. It shows the unity of EU member states in our continued support for Ukraine. Our immediate priority is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position. We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military. There is no doubt that Ukraine will win.”
The 15th package of sanctions also includes 84 additional listings (54 individuals and 30 entities), whose actions undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. They are now subject to asset freezes and – in the case of individuals – also travel bans. The listings mainly concern Russian military companies that make aircraft components, drones, electronics, engines, high-tech parts for weapons and other military equipment. The listings also target some senior executives at companies active in the Russian energy sector (including shipping companies), providing significant revenue to the Russian government. The EU is also imposing sanctions on the military unit responsible for the strike on the Okhmadyt Children’s Hospital in Kyiv as well as individuals responsible for the deportation of children.
Sanctions against Chinese
In addition, for the first time since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the EU adopted sanctions against six Chinese companies and one individual from China (travel ban, asset freeze and capital embargo), which facilitate the circumvention of EU sanctions and supply sensitive drone components and microelectronic components in the Russian military industry.
The sanctions list also includes two senior North Korean officials associated with the support and deployment of North Korean troops in Russia. This decision comes as a follow-up to the October European Council and discussions within the G7.
On trade, the 15 sanctions package adds another 32 companies to the list of those supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex (20 Russian companies, seven under China/Hong Kong jurisdiction, two from Serbia and one from Iran, India and the United Arab Emirates). Strict restrictions on exports of dual-use technology goods, as well as advanced technology items, are adopted towards these companies.
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