EU prepares new sanctions over Russia’s war on Ukraine

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) – EU envoys will discuss new sanctions related to Russia’s war on Ukraine as the European Commission has prepared a new package, an official announced on Monday.

Speaking at the daily news briefing, the European Commission’s chief spokesperson Eric Mamer confirmed that the EU executive body’s “proposal for the 11th package of sanctions was sent out to the member states” on Friday.

The EU ambassadors will discuss the draft on Wednesday, he added.

“This package will be focusing on the implementation of sanctions, their effectiveness and how we avoid the evasion of sanctions,” Mamer explained.

He said the new measures will address trade with Russia as the EU wants to “ensure that Russia isn't receiving imports from other countries.”

According to media leaks, seven Chinese companies will be blacklisted for allegedly selling equipment used by the Russian army.

Since the beginning of Russia’s war on Ukraine last year in February, the EU has imposed 10 sanctions packages against Moscow.

The measures target, among others, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, ban gold, oil and coal imports and the export of luxury goods and high-tech technology, as well as exclude Russian and Belarusian banks from the SWIFT international payment system.