A new package of EU sanctions against Russia, including measures that could affect Chinese companies that manufacture drones in Russia’s war against Ukraine, were discussed for the first time on Wednesday, dpa has learned.
Representatives of the 27 countries in the organization discussed the new proposals of the European Commission on what would have been 15 EU sanctions after the Russian invasion of Russia two years ago.
The proposal also includes tougher action against the so-called Russian shadow fleet used to transport oil and gas, according to the statement.
Russia has been accused of using ships that are not owned by Western shipping companies or insured by Western insurance companies to avoid the fall in Western prices of Russian oil to third countries.
Experts believe that there are serious risks to shipping and the environment with these ships, since most of the tanks are old, have technical weaknesses and sometimes work without identification.
For months, Baltic Sea neighbors like Sweden have been calling for tougher action against ship owners, operators and insurance companies involved.
The United Kingdom took the lead with new sanctions against Russian “shadow ships” earlier this week, adding 30 ships to its ban list.
According to the plans of the European Commission, the European Union can track about 50 ships. They can, for example, be banned from entering ports in EU countries. More than a dozen ships were already listed by the EU in June.
The EU’s latest package of sanctions against Russia was approved in June.
It also included measures to deal with billions of natural gas (LNG) and companies involved in avoiding sanctions.
Another EU package of sanctions against Russia is planned for February next year, on the third anniversary of Russia’s war against Ukraine. The sanctions that are currently being planned should be considered by the end of the year at the latest.
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