EU imposes new sanctions against Russia

2024-02-23 15:45:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The European Union has introduced the new package of sanctions against Russia, a day before the second anniversary of the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"Today, we are further tightening restrictive measures against Russia's military and defense sector," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement to the media.

"We remain united in our determination to strike back at Russia's war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate fight for self-defense."

The European bloc's 13th package of sanctions, related to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, targets Russia's defense industry. The sanctions also include asset freezes and movement restrictions on 106 individuals and 88 organizations, bringing the total number of people and groups sanctioned by the bloc to 2,000. The bloc said it imposed sanctions on individuals and organizations for "undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine." The sanctioned list includes dozens of Russian officials, including "members of the judiciary, local politicians and persons responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children," the announcement said.

The EU has also imposed restrictions on companies from Serbia, India, Sri Lanka, China, Kazakhstan, Taiwan and Turkey, under suspicions that they have exported products to Russia, which have dual use, and for "supporting the Russian military".

Restrictions have also been extended to components used in the development and production of drones.

The names of the companies will be published in the EU's official gazette in a few days.

In response to the EU's move, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced on February 23 that it would drastically expand the list of politicians and officials from the bloc who are banned from entering Russia.

"The EU is continuing its futile efforts to pressure Russia through unilateral restrictive measures," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement./ Rel