Brussels, 16 February 2023 (TDI): European Union (EU) took another substantial action to pressurize Russia by announcing the 10th package of sanctions.
While announcing the package, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen mentioned that Russia’s war of aggression has been causing death and destruction for the last year.
“Putin is not only waging a brutal war on the battlefield but he is also viciously targeting civilians. The aggressor has to pay for this.” She stated.
She mentioned that the EU is closely observing the situation and this package will build more pressure on Russia. The package includes an export ban with a total net worth of €11 billion, depriving the Russian economy of critical technology and industrial goods.
Secondly, the package will restrict the export of dual-use goods and advanced tech goods that Russia is using in its war weapons. For the first time ever, the EU is adding third-country entities to the Russia dual-use sanctions.
Reportedly, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have been providing Russia with Shaheed drones to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
Therefore, the EU is now adding seven Iranian entities to the dual-use regime. They are currently under a complete ban on selling sensitive items to Russia.
The third sanction is to curtail Russia’s propaganda machine. Putin is also waging war in the public space, with an army of propagandists and disinformation networks. They are spreading toxic lies to polarize societies at the highest level.
President von der Leyen mentioned that the EU is in process of putting the toughest sanctions by introducing new measures to prevent circumvention.
She added that EU member states would set up an overview of all frozen assets of the Russian central bank held in the EU. This is crucial in view of the possible use of Russian public assets to fund reconstruction in Ukraine.
In addition, the EU is working closely with Member States, operators, and partner countries to tackle circumvention.
EU’s Special Envoy, David O’Sullivan is reaching out to third countries, to ensure strict implementation of sanctions and prevent circumvention. There is a high need to build pressure on Russia by all means. It is time to stop Russia from further escalation.
