The ambassadors of the Member States to the EU (Coreper) approved a new package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday 20 July.
The package includes a ban on imports of gold of Russian origin, including jewellery, new export controls, the freezing of Sberbank assets, individual sanctions against more than 50 people and entities, including politicians, the military, oligarchs and propagandists.
The ambassadors also pledged that the sanctions would not jeopardise global food and energy security.
“The main objective is to align with the G7 partners, strengthen implementation and fill gaps where necessary”, said the Czech Presidency of the EU Council.
The sanctions are expected to be formally adopted after a written procedure that will end on Thursday morning. They will enter into force after publication in the Official Journal of the EU, which is also expected to take place on Thursday. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)