The European Union formally adopted, on Saturday 25 February, its 10th set of sanctions against Russia and those who support its illegal aggression against Ukraine.
Exports. In particular, Member States have adopted new export restrictions on advanced and dual-use technologies, which contribute to Russia’s military and technological strengthening, representing a trade exchange of €670 million in 2021.
This includes additional electronic components used in Russian weapons systems (UAVs, missiles, helicopters, other vehicles), certain rare earths and thermal cameras with military applications.
An additional 96 entities associated with the Russian military-industrial complex are added to the list of entities affected by these restrictions, including seven Iranian entities that use components from the EU and supply Russia with military drones. A total of 506 military end-users are on the list.
Furthermore, it is now forbidden to export to Russia goods whose use can easily be diverted to support the war effort. Vehicles such as heavy goods vehicles not yet banned (and their parts), semi-trailers and special vehicles such as snowmobiles are affected, as are goods such as electrical generators, binoculars, radar, compasses, etc., or construction works such as bridges, tower-type building structures, forklifts, cranes, etc.
Goods essential for the operation and improvement of Russian industrial capacities (electronic goods and components, machine parts, pumps, metalworking machinery, etc.) and goods used in the aviation industry (turbojet engines) are also banned from export, as are industrial complexes, in order to avoid gaps and loopholes.
Imports. In addition, it is now prohibited to import bitumen and related materials such as asphalt, synthetic rubber and carbon blacks from Russia. These bans are worth around €1.3 billion. The rubber issue had divided the Member States. In the end, synthetic rubber will be subject to a quota of 562,973 metric tonnes until 30 June 2024.
Finances. Three Russian banks have been added to the list of entities subject to an asset freeze and a ban on making funds and economic resources available to them: Alfa-Bank, Rosbank et Tinkoff Bank. The National Fund of the Russian Federation and the Russian National Reinsurance Company are also subject to sanctions.
This sanctions package imposes new reporting requirements on Russian Central Bank assets and frozen assets (including for transactions made prior to listing) and assets that should be frozen. Operators are required to communicate this information to the Member States, which in turn are required to communicate it to the Commission.
Other restrictions. Prior notification of private flights between the EU and Russia, whether direct or via third countries, is required and the transit of dual-use goods and firearms destined for third countries through the territory of Russia is prohibited.
In addition, Russian nationals are no longer allowed to hold positions in the governing bodies of EU critical infrastructure owners/operators and Russian nationals and entities are no longer allowed to reserve gas storage capacity in the EU (excluding LNG). Measures have been taken to facilitate the disposal of assets held in Russia by EU operators. Dubai Sunship Management Company, suspected of helping Russia circumvent oil export sanctions, was also listed.
Media. The EU has added RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic to the list of banned media. Rossiya Segodnya, Russia’s official international communications agency, is subject to restrictive measures.
Targeted sanctions. In addition, the EU adopted targeted sanctions against 87 additional individuals and 34 entities. Among them are new members of the Council of the Russian Federation since 20 December 2022, including the representative of the ‘Luhansk People’s Republic’ and the Deputy Secretary of the General Council of the United Russia party. In addition, 19 deputy ministers and officials of the Russian government, including heads of federal agencies, four deputies of the State Duma, the All-Russian People’s Front (ONF) and five persons linked to it are also concerned.
Twelve Russian military commanders, including two military commanders of the Wagner Group deployed in the regions of Ukraine where atrocities against civilians have been committed (see other news) are subject to sanctions.
Restrictive measures have been taken against persons responsible for the deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children, but also ‘prosecutors’ of the four illegally annexed Ukrainian regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia and the ‘ministry’ of emergency situations of the Donetsk People’s Republic and writers, presenters and high-level executives in major TV channels and media groups and propagandists.
Four Iranian individuals involved in the development and supply of drones used by Russia against Ukraine have been sanctioned.
As regards entities, 22 companies manufacturing missiles, drones, aircraft, military vehicles, warships or control systems and supplying the Russian armed forces are subject to measures.
In total, the EU restrictive measures on actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to a total of 1,473 individuals and 205 entities.
Technical changes. Finally, technical changes have been made to enable the provision of pilotage services necessary for maritime safety reasons and concerning the definition of ‘import’, to avoid goods being held up by lengthy customs procedures.
See the legal acts: https://aeur.eu/f/5ir (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)