Brussels, 28 October 2023 (TDI): EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel unveiled the 12th package of sanctions specifically aimed at reducing Russia’s revenues generated from diamond exports to Europe and its member nations.
He expressed this statement during a joint press conference following the European Council meeting On October 27, 2023, in Brussels, Belgium.
The European Commission President emphasized the collaboration with European countries in developing these sanctions on Russia. He added that we are exploring various strategies to reduce Russia’s income from diamond sales to Europe.
Furthermore, she disclosed that the European Union is working closely with the Group of Seven (G7) countries to establish a new set of rules.
She underlined the EU is working to impose existing sanctions on Russia in a more effective way. The previous 11th set of sanctions was imposed in June. These measures were primarily designed to restrict the products that can be used for dual purposes. It has been reported that G7 countries will stop Russian diamond sales by the end of October.
The upcoming measures are expected to further tighten restrictions on Russia, especially when trying to get goods that can be used for different purposes from other countries.
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On the other hand, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed his position, emphasizing the need to assess the potential impact of these proposed sanctions on EU member states before offering his support. Fico gave this statement during his speech before the parliamentary committee on European Affairs ahead of the leaders’ summit in Brussels.
He also declared that he is ready to help Ukraine with humanitarian aid. His government was officially approved on October 25, 2023, after elections. Some influential figures within the Slovak government do not strongly support Ukraine.
