European Union member states have adopted the most extensive sanctions package against Russia to date. Under the new sanctions, 52 ships from Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ and dozens of Russian officials were blacklisted.
EU member states adopted the most extensive sanctions package against Russia to date at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium. With the sanctions package, 52 more ships used by Russia in the transport of oil, weapons and grain were blacklisted. The Council of Europe announced that with the measures announced today, the total number of ships blacklisted by the 27-member bloc increased to 79. The sanctions were also the first sanctions package adopted during the EU Presidency of Hungary, which has close ties with Russia. Under the new sanctions, EU foreign ministers targeted 54 individuals and 30 organisations, mainly companies, ministries, government agencies and other entities.
North Korea’s Defence Minister and Deputy Chief of Staff are also on the sanctions list
In the 15th sanctions package against Russia, dozens of Russian officials were sanctioned for the war against Ukraine. Among those sanctioned were executives of military units and energy companies responsible for the attack on the children’s hospital in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, as well as a senior official from North Korea. North Korean Defence Minister No Kwang Chol and Deputy Chief of Staff Kim Yong Bok, who were accused of direct involvement in the war in Ukraine on Russia’s side, were also targeted. The sanctioned companies included Russian defence firms and a Russian airline that provides logistical support to Russian forces. Sanctions were also imposed on Chinese citizens accused of supplying drone parts and electronic equipment.
‘Our primary goal is to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position’
‘This sanctions package is part of our response to weaken Russia’s war machine and those who support it, including Chinese companies,’ said Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
‘It demonstrates the unity of the EU member states in their continued support for Ukraine. Our primary objective 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 can be no doubt that Ukraine will be victorious.’
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