European Union approves 11th package of sanctions against Russia
The European Union (EU) member states approved the 11th sanctions package, which will prevent the breach of sanctions against Russia and bring additional restrictive measures.
The European Council announced that the member states have officially approved the 11th package of sanctions against Russia due to the war.
According to the package, which was prepared to strengthen the existing EU sanctions and prevent them from being circumvented, some legal loopholes in restrictive measures will be eliminated.
Collaboration with third countries will be increased to avoid circumvention of sanctions.
In the event that cooperation initiatives fail, the EU will take quick and targeted measures against third country institutions in order to prevent those who contribute to Russia.
Exceptional measures will be applied if the EU measures continue to be circumvented despite negotiations and individual sanctions.
In this framework, the European Council will be able to restrict the sale, supply, transfer or export of products and technologies that are prohibited to be sent to Russia to third countries. This includes especially the third countries that supply the products and technologies used in the battlefield to Russia by circumventing EU sanctions.
The transit of more products and technologies that may contribute to Russia's military and technological development, defense or security sector will be prohibited. Aviation and space industry products and technologies as well as jet fuel and fuel additives exported from the EU to third countries will also be included in this scope.
Import and export controls and restrictions to Russia will also be expanded.
87 organizations that directly support Russia's military and industrial complex will be included in the EU sanctions list. These organizations will be subject to stricter export restrictions, especially on products and technologies that have both civilian and military uses.
The list will include organizations registered in China, Uzbekistan, United Arab Emirates, Syria and Armenia, which play a role in overcoming trade restrictions to Russia, and four Iranian organizations that provide unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia.
The list of banned products that can contribute to the technological development of Russia's defense and security sector will also be expanded. Electronic components, semiconductors, electronic circuit and board manufacturing equipment, various chemicals, optical components, metals and navigational instruments and marine equipment will also be included in the prohibited list.
The scope of the ban on transporting goods to the EU by road with vehicles and trailers registered in Russia will be expanded.
Oil transfer between ships
Measures will also be taken against the increase in the misleading practices of ships carrying crude oil and petroleum products. In this context, those who transfer oil from ship to ship will be prohibited from accessing EU ports.
To be covered, it is sufficient for the authorities to have reasonable suspicion that the vessel in question is in violation of the ban on importing Russian oil or petroleum products into the EU by sea, or that it is carrying products purchased above the ceiling price.
The ban will also include ships that, in violation of the rules, turn off or disable navigation systems while transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum products.
The temporary exemption granted to Germany and Poland for pipeline crude oil supplies from Russia under previous sanctions will expire. These countries will no longer receive Russian oil through the pipeline.
Assets are frozen
The package includes military officials, war-related decision makers, people involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, judges making decisions against Ukrainian citizens, business people and companies that provide critical technology and software to Russian intelligence, banks operating in the occupied territories, and those working with the Russian armed forces. The assets of more than 100 individuals and organizations, including organizations, will be frozen.
The aforementioned 11th package of sanctions will enter into force after this stage, after it is published in the EU Official Journal.
The EU has implemented 10 sanctions packages against Russia so far.
In this framework, a wide range of restrictions were applied to Russia on trade, finance, energy including oil and coal, industry, technology, transportation, dual-use and luxury goods, and gold. The assets of more than a thousand people and more than 200 institutions were frozen.
