Shmyhal thanks EU Council for new package of sanctions against Russia

The prime minister wrote this on his Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

“EU countries adopted the 7th package of sanctions against Russia, including the ban on the import of gold, the export of dual-purpose goods and new technologies to the Russian Federation, changes that stop the circumvention of some previous sanctions. Grateful to the EU Council and our partners for support!” Shmyhal wrote.

As reported, the EU Council supported a proposal to strengthen the effectiveness of six packages of sanctions introduced against Russia.

In particular, the package introduces a new prohibition to purchase, import, or transfer, directly or indirectly, gold, if it originates in Russia and it has been exported from Russia into the EU or to any third country after. This prohibition also covers jewellery.

The new package of restrictive measures also extends the list of controlled items, which may contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or the development of its defence and security sector, thereby reinforcing export controls on dual use and advanced technology.

In addition, the new measures extend the existing port access ban to locks to avoid the circumvention of sanctions and expand the scope of the prohibition on accepting deposits to include those from legal persons, entities or bodies established in third countries and majority-owned by Russian nationals or natural persons residing in Russia. The acceptance of deposits for non-prohibited cross-border trade will be subject to a prior authorisation by the national competent authorities.

The EU is also introducing a number of clarifications to existing measures, for instance in the field of public procurement, aviation and justice.

With a view to avoid any potential negative consequences for food and energy security around the world, the EU decided to extend the exemption from the prohibition to engage in transactions with certain state-owned entities as regards transactions for agricultural products and the transport of oil to third countries, etc.

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