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World
The European Commission president announced a new sanctions package including a ban on Russian soldiers entering the EU and measures targeting Russia's oil revenues and crypto platforms.
The European Union is preparing to impose a ban on entry to all Russians who have participated in the war in Ukraine, as part of its 21st sanctions package against Moscow since the 2022 invasion, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Tuesday.
This proposed package also includes maintaining the existing cap on Russian oil prices and targeting cryptocurrency platforms used to circumvent sanctions.
Von der Leyen stated, "Our sanctions continue to hit hard. They weaken the economic foundations of Russia's war effort," according to a report by Agence France-Presse.
She explained that the decision to ban Russian combatants aims to ensure "Europe remains inaccessible to anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the start of the war."
The primary goal of these recent measures is to keep Russia’s revenue from global oil exports low amid rising prices triggered by the Middle East conflict.
Brussels seeks to maintain the Russian crude oil price cap at the current level of about $44 until January, to prevent the Kremlin from benefiting from price increases.
Von der Leyen added that this approach "will give oil markets time to stabilize while maintaining pressure on Russia’s revenues."
The 27 EU member states will discuss the latest proposals, which require unanimous approval to be adopted.
Brussels also plans to sanction cryptocurrency platforms, banks, and oil traders who assist Moscow in evading sanctions.
The EU intends to blacklist 30 additional tankers from the so-called "ghost fleet" that Russia uses to export its oil, and it is also seeking to impose restrictions on imports of certain fish products from Russia.
Efforts will be made to tighten restrictions on companies in third countries that supply the Russian military.
Officials mentioned that among these are 14 companies from mainland China and Hong Kong, which should be barred from purchasing European Union products.
EU officials emphasize that the Russian economy has begun to stagnate, despite the Kremlin’s ability to withstand several rounds of sanctions.
Von der Leyen noted, "The price Russia is paying increases day by day, and it is mainly the Russian people who bear it."
She added, "They mourn their sons, brothers, and husbands while simultaneously suffering from deteriorating living standards at home."
Separately, on Monday, EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas estimated that Western sanctions have cost Russia up to $1.5 trillion since the beginning of the war.
In a related development, former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Washington will respond to Iran shooting down an American Apache helicopter.
