EU adopts 16th package of sanctions against Russia – What’s included
Photo: Details of the 16th package of EU sanctions against Russia (Getty Images)
EU countries have introduced sanctions against Russia for the 16th time. Media sources have learned which restrictions are included in the new package, EUobserver reports.
"The measures are to impose visa bans and asset freezes on 48 new individuals and 35 entities — up from 34 individuals and 18 entities named in the European Commission's initial proposal in January," the agency states.
Additionally, journalists learned that new legal criteria had been introduced for blacklisting captains of Russia’s "shadow fleet" tankers, which help Moscow bypass Western oil embargoes.
"They suspend the broadcast licenses of eight Russian media in the EU, ban 13 small Russian banks from using the Swift international payments system, and introduce a ban on imports of Russian aluminum," the article lists.
However, as noted, "they (sanctions) do little to curb EU imports of Russian liquid gas." The initial blacklist draft, reviewed by EUobserver, did not include the names of major Russian oligarchs. Instead, it's "targeting minor officials and propagandists involved in Russia's war effort instead."
EU’s 16th package of sanctions against Russia
The ambassadors of the 27 EU countries approved the 16th package of sanctions against Russia during a meeting in Brussels on February 19. Foreign ministers are set to officially adopt the sanctions in Brussels on Monday, February 24 — on the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
As previously reported, the European Union will not ban the purchase of Russian liquefied natural gas in the new sanctions package. However, Brussels will introduce certain restrictions.
