11th EU Sanctions Package Against Russia

EU Tightens Sanctions Against Russia Once Again

In yet another move, the member states of the European Union have adopted a fresh set of sanctions against Russia. With the acceptance of this eleventh sanctions package, the European Union once again sends a clear signal of solidarity to the embattled nation.

New Package of Measures Starting from June 23rd

The tense situation between the European Union and Russia continues with a heightened package of sanctions that came into effect on June 23rd. The focus of these measures lies in combating circumventions of existing sanctions through third-party countries. Groundbreaking provisions are included, such as the authority to impose export bans on specific goods to particular countries. Additionally, individuals and organizations supporting Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine are targeted. In this regard, 104 more individuals and organizations have been added to the sanctions list.

The German Federal Government strongly supports these stringent EU sanctions against Russia. It advocates for a united and resolute response from EU member states to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the unlawful annexation of Ukrainian territories.

Key Points of the 11th Sanctions Package:

Individual Sanctions:

Another blow to 71 individuals and 33 organizations: their assets within the EU will be frozen, and they will be barred from entering the EU. This affects high-ranking military officials, war decision-makers, individuals involved in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, judges who made politically motivated judgments against Ukrainian citizens, individuals responsible for looting cultural treasures, business people, and propagandists.

Economic Sanctions:

Circumvention of sanctions receives a serious response through a new instrument. This empowers the EU to restrict the sale, delivery, transfer, or export of certain sanctioned goods and technologies. An expanded prohibition of the transit of certain sensitive goods (e.g., high-tech products, aviation-related materials) transported through Russia from the EU to third countries underscores this stance. The list expands to include 87 new organizations that industrially or militarily support Russia’s war against Ukraine. They will face stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and advanced technologies. This expansion encompasses not only Russian and Iranian entities but also extends to countries like China, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, and Armenia.

Transport Measures:

Trucks with Russian trailers and semi-trailers are prohibited from transporting goods into the EU. Ships suspected of violating Russia’s ban on oil imports or the G7 coalition’s price ceiling will be denied access to EU ports.

Additional Measures:

The import of Russian oil via pipelines into Germany and Poland is banned. The list of banned media channels is expanded by five more. Assets of Russian IT companies providing critical technologies and software to the Russian intelligence service will be frozen. Two banks operating in occupied territories have been sanctioned.

Over the past months, the European Union, in collaboration with international partners, has enacted stringent sanctions in the areas of finance, energy, transport, individual restrictions, and visa issuance. An overview of the previous sanctions follows:

Finance Sector:

Russian banks were cut off from the international SWIFT system, practically isolating them from global financial flows. Transactions of the Russian Central Bank were banned, assets frozen, and access to foreign reserves in the EU restricted. Over 70% of the Russian banking market and key state-owned companies are cut off from capital markets. A task force of the German Federal Government monitors the implementation of sanctions.

Energy Sector:

Export bans impede Russia’s modernization of its oil refineries. An import ban on Russian coal was enacted. An embargo on Russian oil transported by ship was imposed. The EU employs an oil price cap.

Transport Sector:

The EU airspace was closed to Russian aircraft. Export, sale, and delivery of aircraft to Russian airlines were prohibited. Ports and locks are closed to Russian ships. Entry bans for Russian road transport companies were imposed.

Industrial Sector:

Access to key technologies for Russia was restricted. Import bans for steel products, wood, cement, and other goods were enacted. Export bans for chemical raw materials. The ban on exports of dual-use and advanced tech goods was expanded, encompassing goods that could be used to expand industrial production in Russia. Dual-use goods are goods that could serve both civilian and military purposes.

Visa Issuance:

Diplomats and business people lost privileged access to the EU. Individual Restrictions: Sanctions against individuals and entities supporting the war against Ukraine. Approximately 1800 individuals have been sanctioned. Additional Measures:

Import ban on Russian gold. Suspension of broadcasts by nine state-owned Russian media outlets in the EU. On March 2nd, the European Union imposed fresh sanctions against Belarus due to its support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These measures include novel economic sanctions and updated lists of Belarusian officials and military personnel involved in the aggression against Ukraine.