The Commission is pleased that the Council adopted a 10th set of sanctions against Russia and its supporters in its illegal aggression against Ukraine. It has been one year since Russia invaded Ukraine in its entirety on February 24, and nine years since Russia began to illegally invade and occupy Ukrainian territory. This package will increase the pressure to stop Putin’s war on Ukraine. It includes viciously targeting civilians as well as critical infrastructure. Today’s package includes new listings and trade and financial sanctions. It also contains further bans on exports, which will further reduce the effectiveness of EU sanctions. It increases enforcement and anti-circumvention, as well as a reporting obligation for assets of the Russian Central Bank.
This package includes the following components:
Additional listings
Our sanction list now includes 120 people and entities from the EU, including Russian decision-makers and senior officials, military leaders, and proxy authorities in the occupied territories of Ukraine. This list includes key figures in the kidnapping and transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia as well as individuals and organisations who pollute the public space with disinformation. They are also contributing to the military war through information warfare. Individuals in Iran involved in the creation of drones or components supporting Russia’s military are also subject to sanctions. Members and supporters of Russia’s Wagner mercenary organization and their activities in other countries such as Mali and the Central African Republic are also being targeted.
Additional EU export restrictions and bans
Based on information from Ukraine, our members and our partners, new export restrictions were imposed on sensitive dual use and advanced technologies which contribute to Russia’s military capabilities. These include electronic components that are used in Russian weapons systems (drones missiles helicopters), as well bans on certain rare earths and thermal cameras for military applications. We also list 96 more entities that are associated with Russia’s military industrial complex. This brings the total number of military end-users to 506. This includes Russian entities that are associated with the Kremlin controlled Wagner paramilitary organization. Seven Iranian entities have also been included in this list, which includes seven entities that use EU components and provide Russia with military “Shahed,” drones to attack Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. We are also working closely with our partners and have added Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway to our list of partner countries.
Additional export bans have been imposed on goods which can be easily diverted to support the Russian war effort, including:
- Vehicles: Heavy trucks (and their spare parts) not yet prohibited, semi-trailers and special vehicles like snowmobiles
- You can easily send goods to the Russian military, including binoculars and radars, electric generators, and binoculars. ;
- Construction products include bridges, tower-like structures, cranes, forklift trucks, cranes, and other construction goods. ;
- Essential goods for the operation and enhancement of Russian industrial capability (electronics machine parts, pumps, machinery to work metals, etc. );
- To avoid loopholes, this category includes complete industrial plants.
- Turbojets are goods used in the aviation industry.
The new restrictions and bans apply to EU exports valued at EUR11.4bn (2021 Data). These new restrictions are in addition to the EUR32.5bn worth exports that were already approved under the previous packages. Today’s package means that the EU has sanctioned almost half (49%) its Russian 2021 exports.
Additional import bans in the EU
The current package includes import bans for the following high-revenue Russian goods:
- Bitumen, asphalt and other related materials;
- Synthetic rubber and carbon Blacks
These new bans will apply to EU imports valued at almost EUR 1.3bn. They are on top of EUR90bn that have been sanctioned and represent 58% of EU’s 2021 imports.
Financial sector
Three Russian banks were added to the list of entities that are subject to asset freeze and prohibition to make economic resources and funds available.
There are also
- Russian nationals are prohibited from serving as governing bodies for critical infrastructure companies of Member States.
- Russian entities and nationals are prohibited from booking gas storage capacity in the Union (LNG excluded).
- EU operators take measures to facilitate Russia’s divestment
An additional listing has been made for a third-country shipping company that is suspected to have helped Russia avoid sanctions on oil exports.
Enforcement and Anti-circumvention Measures
The new reporting requirements for assets of the Russian Central Bank are imposed by today’s package. This is particularly important in light of the possibility of using public Russian assets for the financing of reconstruction of Ukraine following the defeat of Russia.
The following are other measures:
- Reporting obligations for frozen assets (including dealings before listing) and assets that should be frozen
- Notifying in advance of private flights between Russia and the EU, either directly or via third-country agents, is a good idea.
- Prohibition on transiting dual-use goods and firearms through Russia’s territory to third countries
David O’Sullivan, EU sanctions envoy, is reaching out directly to third countries to ensure that sanctions are strictly implemented and to prevent any circumvention. The first Sanctions Coordinators Forum was held in Brussels on 23 February. It brought together our international partners as well as Member States to improve enforcement efforts.
Additional restrictions on Russian disinformation outlets
The media ban has been expanded to include two additional Russian media outlets.
Technical modifications
- Amendment to permit the provision of pilot services for maritime safety;
- To avoid goods being “stranded”, the import term must be defined.
Background
The EU’s sanctions on Russia have been effective. They limit Russia’s ability, among other things, to make new weapons or repair those that it already has, and to transport material.
Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine has clear geopolitical and economic implications. The war has also disrupted global commodity markets, particularly for agrifood and energy. The EU is ensuring that sanctions against Russia do not affect energy and agrifood exports to third countries.
The European Commission, as guardian of EU Treaties monitors the implementation of EU sanctions throughout the EU.
The EU is united in its solidarity for Ukraine. It will continue to support Ukraine’s people with international partners.
More information
Questions & Answers on the 10th Package of Sanctions against Russia
European Commission website about EU sanctions against Russia, Belarus
European Commission website about Ukraine
Q&A about restrictive measures
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