European Commission presents 10th package of sanctions against Russia

The European Commission has proposed further export bans worth more than EUR 11 billion to deprive the Russian economy of critical technology and industrial goods.

The relevant joint statement was made by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The video was published on the website of the European Commission.

“For almost one year now, Russia’s war of aggression has been sowing death and destruction. Putin is not only waging a brutal war on the battlefield but he is also viciously targeting civilians. The aggressor has to pay for this. Today, we are turning up the pressure with a 10th package of sanctions,” von der Leyen said.

First, the European Commission proposes further export bans worth more than EUR 11 billion, to deprive the Russian economy of critical technology and industrial goods. For maximum impact, they are targeting many industrial goods that Russia needs, and that it cannot get through backfilling by third countries. Vital goods such as electronics, specialized vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines. Additionally, they are targeting goods for the construction sector which can be directed to Russia’s military, such as antennas or cranes.

Second, the European Commission will further restrict the export of dual use goods and advanced tech goods. The European Commission proposes controls on 47 new electronic components that can be used in Russian weapons systems, including drones, missiles, helicopters, as well as specific rare earth materials and thermal cameras.

“With this, we have banned all tech products found on the battlefield. And we will make sure they don’t find other ways to get there. This is why, for the first time ever, we are adding third country entities to the Russia dual use sanctions,” von der Leyen stressed.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have been providing Russia with Shahed drones to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, von der Leyen reminded. Therefore, the European Commission is now adding seven Iranian entities to its dual use regime. They are now under a complete ban to sell sensitive items to Russia. The European Commission also stands ready to list further Iranian and other third country entities that are providing sensitive technology to Russia. This should act as a strong deterrent to other companies and international traders.

“My third point is about Russia’s propaganda machine. Putin is also waging war in the public space, with an army of propagandists and disinformation networks. They are spreading toxic lies to polarise our societies. So we are proposing to list Putin’s propagandists as well as additional military and political commanders,” von der Leyen noted.

In her words, the 10th package introduces new measures to prevent circumvention.

“This is my fourth point. We will track oligarchs trying to hide or to sell their assets to escape sanctions. And together with Member States we will set up an overview of all frozen assets of the Russian central bank held in the EU. We need to know where these are located and how much they are worth. This is crucial in view of the possible use of public Russian assets to fund reconstruction in Ukraine,” von der Leyen emphasized.

According to von der Leyen, the EU’s special envoy David O’Sullivan is reaching out to third countries, to ensure strict implementation of sanctions and prevent circumvention. Next week, the European Commission will organise a Sanctions Coordinators Forum, gathering its international partners and Member States, to strengthen enforcement efforts.

“Together, we are tightening the screws on Russia more and more. I call on the Member States to adopt this new package of sanctions swiftly. Our aim is to have, together with our G7 partners, further significant sanctions in place by February 24 – exactly one year after Putin launched his imperial war,” the President of the European Commission added.

Photo: European Commission