EU Announces New Sanctions Package
The European Union is preparing its 15th sanctions package against Russia and other countries. According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s commissioner for sanctions, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the new package will include 30 companies from at least eight countries and 50 individuals.
These companies are suspected of helping Moscow get important parts it needs to function. The list includes entities from Russia, Serbia, Iran, Hong Kong, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Thailand.
North Korea is also on the list because it has sent over 10,000 troops to support Russian forces. There have already been clashes between Ukrainian and Russian forces in the Kursk Oblast of Russia.
China’s Foreign Ministry has asked the EU not to include Chinese entities or individuals on the sanctions list. However, there is evidence that China has supplied parts for Russian drones.
The new package will also ban 45 Russian oil tankers from accessing European ports. It will sanction companies and executives involved in oil transportation.
The EU first introduced sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. The new package aims to close loopholes that have allowed some countries and individuals to continue doing business with Russia despite the sanctions.