The European Council has approved a new sanctions package in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This sixteenth round of measures strengthens existing restrictions and introduces new prohibitions aimed at weakening Russian military and industrial capabilities, as well as sanctioning individuals and entities that facilitate the evasion of these measures.
The main provisions include:
• Sanctions on individuals and entities: 83 new individuals and entities have been added to the sanctions list. In addition, two new criteria have been established that will allow for the sanctioning of owners and operators of vessels in the Russian clandestine fleet, as well as those who support or benefit from the Russian military-industrial complex.
• Russian clandestine fleet: 74 non-EU vessels operating within the Russian clandestine fleet have been listed.
• Financial Restrictions: Transactions with financial institutions outside Russia using the Central Bank of Russia’s Financial Message Transfer System (FSTS) are prohibited. The ban on providing specialized financial messaging services is also extended to 13 Russian regional banks.
• Entities Supporting the Russian Military Sector: 53 entities from Russia and third countries (including China, Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Uzbekistan) are added to the list of stricter export restrictions due to their involvement in sanctions evasion.
• Expanded Restricted Products: Chemical precursors for chloropicrin and other riot control agents, software for CNC machines, chromium compounds, and controllers for military drones are included.
• Trade Restrictions: Limits are imposed on the export and transit of industrial products through Russia, including chemicals, plastics, and rubber. In addition, new bans are applied to the import of primary Russian aluminum.
• Transport restrictions: Transactions with Russian ports, locks, and airports used to transfer drones, missiles, and related technologies are prohibited. The EU flight ban is also extended for certain airlines operating domestic flights in Russia or exporting aircraft and related technologies.
• Additional measures on land transport: Restrictions on the transport of goods within the EU by European operators with 25% or more Russian ownership are strengthened.
• New technology and energy bans: Restrictions are imposed on the export of software related to oil and gas exploration, as well as a ban on the temporary storage of Russian crude oil and petroleum products in the EU.
• Sanctions on the construction sector: The provision of construction-related services, including civil engineering works, is prohibited.
• Specific measures for Crimea and other occupied regions: Restrictions are extended in Crimea, Sevastopol, and areas not controlled by the Ukrainian government in Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhia.
Sanctions on Belarus
The new sanctions also affect Belarus, aligning with those imposed on Russia. They establish restrictions on trade, services, software, cryptoassets, and transportation. In addition, a new sanction criterion is introduced targeting those who support or benefit from the Belarusian military-industrial complex.
The European Council press release is available for consultation. The corresponding regulatory texts have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.
