EU has widened its net by adding allies in the 14th sanctions package. Prominent addition to the list is Belarus.
In a decisive move to intensify pressure on Russia and its allies, the European Union adopted its 14th sanctions package, targeting an additional 69 individuals and 47 entities responsible for actions undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The comprehensive measures include sanctions on prominent figures and companies facilitating circumvention of EU restrictions, as well as specific actions against Belarus to close off avenues for Russian evasion.
Sanctions on Individuals and Entities
The 14th sanctions package refers to the most recent set of restrictive measures adopted by the European Union (EU) to penalize Russia and its allies
14th sanctions package encompasses a diverse array of targets, including businesspersons, propagandists, public figures, military personnel, and members of the judiciary. Notably, it includes those responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children and members of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) implicated in religious persecution in illegally annexed Crimea. Among the listed entities are companies engaged in circumventing EU sanctions through financial transactions and the delivery of prohibited goods.
Noteworthy Additions
– Vostochny Port Company: Identified for its role in shipping weapons and ammunition from North Korea to Russia.
– Russian Military and Defense Companies: Several entities providing dual-use technologies critical to battlefield operations and transporting military personnel and weapons.
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– Volga Dnepr Group: Targeted for its services to Russia’s military-industrial complex, along with its shareholders.
– Sovcomflot: Russia’s largest shipping company, specializing in transporting liquefied gas, crude oil, and petroleum products, along with its CEO and other key figures in the energy sector.
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– International Children’s Center Artek and Kadyrov Foundation: Both organizations are involved in re-educational programs for Ukrainian children in occupied territories.
– Belarusian Republican Youth Union: Active in the deportation of Ukrainian children from illegally occupied areas.
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Broader Implications
The EU’s restrictive measures now impact over 2,200 individuals and entities. Those designated face asset freezes and a ban on EU citizens and companies making funds available to them. Additionally, natural persons are subject to travel bans, preventing their entry or transit through EU territories.
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Closing Loopholes and Targeting Belarus
To combat the evasion of sanctions, the EU has also targeted Belarus, a major conduit for Russia’s circumvention tactics. Efforts to align sanctions on Belarus with those on Russia have been ongoing since January of last year, addressing significant loopholes. This includes measures on dual-use goods, such as chips found in basic appliances and advanced technology.
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During the negotiations, a provision to allow Belarusian potash and other agricultural goods to be exported via Europe during price spikes was dropped. This decision underscores the EU’s commitment to maintaining strict sanctions without exceptions that could be exploited.
Statements from EU Leadership
Belgium, holding the EU presidency until the end of June, emphasized the package’s significance. “This package will strengthen our measures in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including combating circumvention of sanctions,” Belgium stated on the social media platform X. In a separate statement, the EU presidency highlighted, “With this package, we just closed the biggest loophole of our sanctions regime.”
The 14th sanctions package represents a robust and comprehensive effort by the EU to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine. By targeting a wide range of individuals and entities, including those facilitating the circumvention of sanctions, the EU aims to tighten the economic noose around Russia and its allies, reinforcing its commitment to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
