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The European Union has adopted its 15th package of sanctions aimed at curbing Russia’s capacity to continue aggression towards Ukraine. The measures announced target individuals, entities and mechanisms supporting Moscow’s military and industrial complex.
“Russia continues its brutal attack against Ukraine and Ukrainian people. This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia’s war machine and those who are enabling this war,” commented Kaja Kallas, the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy.
The package includes sanctions against 54 individuals and 30 entities responsible for undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty. Those listed include military units linked to attacks on civilians, while high-ranking officials from North Korea, implicated in aiding Russia’s war efforts, were also targeted.
On the corporate front, the EU has sanctioned Russian defence and shipping companies profiting from transporting crude oil and stolen Ukrainian grain. It has also imposed its first sanctions on Chinese entities supplying drones and microelectronics to Russia.
The measures also crack down on maritime circumvention tactics by adding 52 more vessels to a ban list, bringing the total to 79, and 32 new entities, including companies in China, India, Iran and Serbia, face tighter export restrictions on dual-use goods that enhance Russia’s defence capabilities.
To protect EU businesses meanwhile, the EU has barred recognition of Russian court rulings enforcing anti-suit injunctions, preventing disproportionate penalties on European firms and has extended derogations for companies divesting from Russia, enabling an orderly withdrawal.
