A new package of EU sanctions against Russia, including measures to deal with Chinese companies that produce drones in Russia’s war with Ukraine, was discussed for the first time on Wednesday, dpa has learned.
Representatives of the 27 member states discussed the new proposals of the European Commission in what would have been the EU’s 15 sanctions following Russia’s full-scale attack on its neighbor two years ago.
These proposals also include taking strict measures against the so-called Russian shadow fleet used to transport oil and gas products, according to the source.
Russia has long been accused of using non-Western shipping companies or non-Western insurance companies to undercut Western prices for Russian oil exports to third countries.
Experts believe that there is a high risk to shipping and the environment with these vessels, as many tankers are outdated, have technical deficiencies and sometimes operate without an automatic identification system.
For months, Baltic Sea neighbors like Sweden have been demanding tougher measures from ship owners, operators and insurance companies involved.
The United Kingdom took the lead on new sanctions against Russian “shadow ships” earlier this week, adding 30 vessels to its sanctions list.
According to the plans of the European Commission, the European Union may refer to 50 ships. They can, for example, be barred from entering EU regional ports. More than a dozen ships were already listed by the EU in June.
The EU’s latest package of sanctions against Russia was agreed in June.
It included measures against multibillion-dollar deals in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and companies involved in sanctions evasion.
Another package of EU sanctions against Russia is scheduled for February next year, in the third year of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The sanctions currently being planned will be decided by the end of the year.
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