On Wednesday 29 January, the European Commission presented its proposal for a 16th package of sanctions against Russia to the ambassadors of the Member States to the EU. The aim is to have it adopted on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on 24 February.
In particular, sanctions are proposed for additional vessels in the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ (see EUROPE 13551/12). Between 70 and 80 ships could be affected.
According to press agencies, the Commission is proposing to ban imports of Russian primary aluminium, to take measures to penalise circumvention of the Russian oil price cap set by the G7 and to restrict sales of video game consoles, flight simulators and joysticks, which could be used to operate drones.
Despite requests from some Member States, the phasing out of liquefied natural gas imports would not be part of the package.
The Member States will now take a few days to analyse the proposal in detail, according to several sources. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)