The 16th package of sanctions against Russia has been agreed upon. The countries of the European Union (EU) reached a political agreement on new sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, which will be formally approved on Monday to mark the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, reports Efe.
The new sanctions include further measures against the vessels of the so-called Russian "ghost fleet" that help Moscow evade sanctions on its oil, as well as the prohibition of importing aluminum from Russia and exporting crude oil and gas refinery services, as reported by several diplomatic sources.
This is the sixteenth EU sanctions package against Russia since the start of the war, and EU foreign ministers are expected to formally approve it next Monday, the 24th, during a Council meeting in Brussels, which marks the third anniversary of the start of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine.
On this occasion, the European restrictive measures include the prohibition of transactions with eleven ports and airports in Russia to prevent the evasion of the cap on the price of Russian oil and other sanctions imposed by the EU.
They will also exclude thirteen banks from the international banking system Swift and prohibit financial transactions with three other institutions.
Additionally, 73 more vessels will be added to the list of sanctioned ships belonging to the Russian "ghost fleet," and broadcasting licenses in the EU for eight Russian media outlets will be suspended.
The Twenty-Seven will also add 53 new entities to the list of individuals or legal entities, entities, and bodies that the EU considers to be end-users of military equipment, part of Russia's military-industrial complex, or have commercial or other ties to its defense and security sector.
The general list of sanctioned individuals will be expanded by 48 persons and 35 entities, subject to asset freezes and entry bans to the EU.
At the sectoral level, the EU countries have agreed on new prohibitions on exporting chemical precursors, chromium, and other products used in electronics, as well as providing oil and gas refinery services.
The import of aluminum from Russia will also be banned.
Additional approval requirements will be imposed for drones and new sanction criteria for those supporting the Russian military industry and the owners and operators of the "ghost fleet," including captains.
Finally, the EU countries have agreed to align certain aspects of the sanctions regime against Belarus, as well as other measures related to areas not controlled by the Kiev Government.