The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented another, 19th, package of sanctions against Russia. She called it a response to Russia's «complete disregard for diplomacy and law». Von der Leyen specifically mentioned Russian strikes on Kyiv that hit the EU office, as well as Russian drone intrusions into Poland and Romania.
The EU «wants to cut» Russia's revenues from fossil fuel sales by banning the import of Russian LNG to European markets. The sanctions list, which includes 560 ships, will add 118 additional ships from the Russian shadow fleet.
«Major energy companies „Rosneft“ and „Gazprom Neft“ will now be subject to a complete ban on transactions», and «other companies will also face asset freezes», the head of the European Commission reported. «In three years, Russia's oil revenues in Europe have decreased by 90%. Now we are turning this page forever», — she said.
The new package of sanctions will also target «refining companies, oil traders, petrochemical companies in third countries, including China», which «purchase oil in violation of sanctions».
Additional EU sanctions provide for lowering the price cap on Russian oil to $47.6 per barrel and phasing out Russian liquefied natural gas by 2027.
The package of measures will also aim to eliminate «financial loopholes», von der Leyen stated, adding that it includes a «ban on transactions with additional banks in Russia and banks in third countries».
«We are strengthening the fight against sanctions evasion. As evasion tactics become more sophisticated, our sanctions will adapt to stay one step ahead. Therefore, for the first time, our restrictive measures will affect cryptocurrency platforms and prohibit transactions in cryptocurrencies. We are compiling a list of foreign banks linked to Russian alternative payment systems. And we are restricting transactions with organizations in special economic zones», — stated the head of the European Commission.
The package of measures will also «add new direct restrictions on the export of goods and technologies used on the battlefield», affecting 45 companies in Russia and third countries.
«In the face of escalation from Russia, Europe has risen to the challenge. We will continue to use all the tools at our disposal to end this brutal war. I urge all EU members to quickly approve these new sanctions. We want Russia to leave the battlefield and sit at the negotiating table. This is the only way to give peace a real chance», — stated von der Leyen.