The European Commission is proposing to tighten sanctions against Russia, particularly by imposing an embargo on coal imports and by closing ports in Europe to ships controlled or operated by the Russians.
Four sets of European sanctions against Moscow have been adopted since February hit hard and limited the Kremlin’s political and economic optionsbut after the discovery of a large number of bodies in the kyiv region, clearly we need to increase our pressurepleaded on Tuesday with the organization’s president, Ursula von der Leyen, in a video.
The European executive’s proposals are due to be discussed on Wednesday by ambassadors of the 27 member countries, before a meeting of foreign ministers next Monday. Penalties must be unanimously approved in order to take effect.
Russian coal accounts for 45% of EU importsEU, for an estimated amount of 4.4 billion euros per year (C $ 5.5 billion). It is considered easier to exchange than Russia’s oil and gas, which represent 25% and 45% of European imports respectively.
Mrs von der Leyen did not mention future sanctions on Russia’s gas, which some countries are opposed to, including Germany, but she stressed that the European Commission is working. on additional sanctions, specifically on oil imports.
In addition to coal, the European Commission also intends to ban 10 billion euros (C $ 13.7 billion) in exports of essential industrial equipment and components to Russia, such as advanced semiconductors or quantum computers.
The EU executive also wants to expand the list of Russian products banned from import into the EU.EU, from wood to cement and from seafood to wineso that stop the flow of money from Russia and its oligarchswith an estimated value of 5.5 billion euros per year (C $ 7.5 billion).
It also proposes to block the access of Russian companies to public procurementEU and to ban all transactions with VTB, Russia’s second largest bank, and with three other Russian banks that have already been blocked on the SWIFT interbank messaging system.
There was also talk about adding the names of dozens of active Russians in politics, business and propaganda blacklist the people whose assets are onEU were seized, currently targeting 877 individuals and 62 entities.
Washington will ban any new investment in Russia
The United States should adopt on Wednesday, in cooperation with the European Union and G7, new sanctions against Russia aimed specifically at banning any new investment in this country, according to a source familiar with the matter.
These punitive measures, imposed in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, will further include enhanced sanctions against state-owned financial institutions and companies in Russia, and sanctions against Russian government officials and their relativesthis source told AFP on Tuesday.
He assured that these decisions, which in addition to a whole series of measures taken since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, were damage the main instruments of Russia’s state policy at causing immediate and severe damage to the economy.
Hundreds of diplomats were expelled from Europe
After France, Germany and Lithuania on Monday, several other European countries expelled dozens of Russian diplomats on Tuesday, confirming the deterioration of relations with Moscow.
The expulsions were announced by Italy (30 diplomats), Spain (around 25), Denmark (15), Estonia (14), Latvia (13), Romania (10) and Sweden (3).
” This measure, carried out by mutual agreement with our partners in Europe and the Atlantic, was made necessary for reasons related to our national security and in the context of the current crisis situation associated with the unjust Russian invasion of Ukraine. Federation. “
Spain explained that Russian diplomats represents a threat to the interests of the country and that the decision is due horrible events in the last days in Ukraine, in Bucha and in Mariupol.
Ambassador not included on the list of people leaving, because we want to give dialogue a chanceand Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares.
The head of European diplomacy Josep Borrell also announced the process he declared unhappy person some members of the Russian representative inEU kasi adverse activities in their status as diplomats. He did not specify the number of Russian diplomats affected.
Many European states, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland, had already taken similar steps by the end of March.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reacted by denouncing lack of perspective European Union and warns that these decisions will lead inevitable steps of revenge.
” We regret this. Reducing the possibilities of communication at the diplomatic level in these difficult conditions [dénote un] lack of perspective that further complicates communication [entre la Russie et l’UE, NDLR] need to find solutions. “
Moscow denies any responsibility for the massacres observed in Boutcha and accuses Ukrainian authorities of preparing staging to condemn Russia. Satellite images refute this version.
Source: Radio-Canada