As discussions between the ambassadors of the Member States to the European Union (Coreper) on the fifth package of sanctions against Russia continued at the time of writing (see EUROPE 12927/1), the leaders and foreign ministers of the G7 countries announced on Thursday 7 April new restrictive measures, condemning in the strongest terms the “atrocities” committed by the Russian armed forces in Bucha and other Ukrainian cities.
In two separate statements, G7 leaders and ministers warned that those responsible for heinous acts and atrocities, including attacks on civilians, must be brought to justice.
While the ministers stress “the need to further increase economic pressure on Russia and the Lukashenka regime in Belarus”, the leaders announce seven new actions.
For example, the G7 will ban new investment in key sectors of the Russian economy, including the energy sector. In addition, the G7 intends to further expand the export bans on specific advanced goods and services important to Russian security, state and economy.
“We will also increase import restrictions on a range of Russian revenue-generating exports”, the leaders warned without giving further details. The G7 will also continue to disconnect Russian banks from the global financial system.
The G7 leaders also announce that they will impose additional sanctions on “state-owned entities that are key drivers of the Russian economy”. Thus, “President Putin’s regime will no longer be able to rely on these institutions to stabilise its economy and pursue its goals”, they add. The leaders promise that they will intensify their action against the elites and their families who support the Russian president. They will also impose additional sanctions against Russia’s defence sector to undermine and erode the Russian military’s ability to wage war.
The G7 leaders will also accelerate their plans to reduce energy dependence on Russia.
They also announce that they will intensify the implementation of existing measures and work with their partners to prevent “circumvention of sanctions”.
They will also continue to work with their partners to actively address the energy, food and other consequences of Russia’s actions on third countries and on Ukraine.
The G7 leaders pledge their continued political, financial, material and humanitarian support to Ukraine both for their immediate needs and for the longer-term reconstruction of the country.
The ministers say they are ready to provide additional assistance, “including military equipment” and financial resources, to enable Ukraine to defend and rebuild itself.
See the G7 leaders’ statement: https://aeur.eu/f/16l
See that of the ministers: https://aeur.eu/f/16m
Russia suspended from the UN Human Rights Council
In addition, on Thursday, the UN General Assembly decided, by 93 votes to 24 with 58 abstentions, to suspend Russia from its seat on the UN Human Rights Council.
China, but also the Central African Republic, Mali, Cuba, Syria, North Korea, Algeria and Iran are among the countries that opposed the sanction. India, Tunisia, Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia abstained. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)