Luxembourg (EuroEFE).- The Council of the European Union (EU) officially approved this Monday the first community sanctions against both Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) and against ships that with their activity are contributing to the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine.
EU foreign ministers formally approved today the fourteenth package of sanctions against Russia since that country began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Recently agreed upon by the ambassadors of the Twenty-seven, The new round of sanctions also includes restrictive measures against another 69 people and 47 entities (some located in China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates) responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as sectoral sanctions.
Energy
The EU has Russian LNG refueling services that are going to be transhipped to third countries are prohibited in community territoryin order to reduce the “important” income that Russia obtains from the sale and transportation of that gas.
This covers both ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transhipments, as well as reloading operations, and does not affect import, but only re-export to third countries through the EU.
The European Commission will monitor the implementation and development of this decision and may propose mitigating measures if necessary, the Council said in a statement.
Besides, The EU will prohibit new investments, as well as the supply of goods, technology and services for the completion of LNG projects under constructionsuch as Arctic LNG 2 and Murmansk LNG.
Transport
The EU also imposes for the first time sanctions on “certain vessels that contribute to “Russia’s war against Ukraine”which are prohibited from accessing ports and providing services.
These vessels may be designated for a variety of reasons, such as transporting military materiel for Russia, transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, and supporting the development of the Russian energy sector, for example by transporting LNG components or LNG transshipments.
Likewise, the measure is directed against oil tankers that They are part of the “shadow fleet” Russia, which circumvent EU restrictions and “adopt deceptive transport practices in complete disregard of international standards.”
Up to 27 vessels have been subject to these measures today.
Elusion
To help counteract the re-export of material that Russia uses on the battlefield or the development of military systemsEU operators selling such material to third countries will have to apply due diligence mechanisms capable of identifying, assessing and mitigating the risks of re-export to Russia.
EU operators transferring industrial know-how for the production of military-grade material to third countries will have to include contractual provisions ensuring that it will not be used for products destined for Russia.
In addition, the prohibition of landing, taking off or flying over the territory of the EU is extended to aircraft used for a non-scheduled flight, and The ban on the transport of goods by road in the EU territory is extended, including in transitto include EU operators that are 25% or more owned by a Russian natural or legal person.
Finance
The use of the Financial Message Transfer System (SPFS) is prohibiteda specialized financial messaging service developed by the Central Bank of Russia to neutralize the effect of restrictive measures.
Also transactions with certain financial and credit institutions and cryptoasset suppliers established outside the EU, when these entities facilitate transactions that support Russia’s defense industrial base.
Party financing
EU political parties, foundations, NGOs, think tanks or media service providers, whether They will not be able to accept financing from the Russian State and its representatives, in order to counteract Russian attempts at disinformation and interference in EU democratic processes.
The measures will not prevent the media and their staff from carrying out other activities in the EU, such as investigations and interviews.
Exports
New restrictions have been introduced on exports of goods that especially contribute to the improvement of Russian industrial capacities (chemicals such as manganese ores and rare earth compounds, plastics, excavation machinery, monitors and electrical equipment.
Also to import of helium from Russiaa source of important income for the Kremlin.
The purchase, import, transfer or export of Ukrainian cultural property and other property of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific or religious importance is prohibited when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that they have left Ukraine illegally.
Edited by Sandra Municio
