EU introduces fifth package of sanctions - President of European Commission

The European Union has imposed a fifth package of sanctions on russia.

The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced it on Twitter.

"Russia is waging a brutal, ruthless war, also against Ukraine’s civilian population. We need to sustain utmost pressure at this critical point. So today we are proposing a 5th package of sanctions," the head of the European Commission said.

This package, according to Ursula von der Leyen, includes:

- a ban on coal imports from russia worth 4bn euros a year, which reduces another important source of income for russia;

- a complete ban on transactions for 4 key russian banks, including VTB, the second largest russian bank;

- a ban on russian ships accessing EU ports and a ban on russian and belarusian trucking operators;

- further export bans in important areas worth 10bn euros: advanced semiconductors, machinery, and transport equipment;

- specific new import bans worth 5.5bn euro;

- targeted measures, such as banning russian companies from participating in public procurement and excluding any financial support, from the EU or separate counties, of russian government agencies.

"Finally, we are also proposing additional lists of people. We are also working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports, and are considering some Member States' ideas, such as taxes or certain payment channels, such as a deposit account," the head of the European Commission added.

She noted that more than 40 countries apply such sanctions today.

"Taking a clear position is very important for the whole world. A clear position against the war of putin's choice. Against the massacre of civilians. Against the violation of fundamental principles of world order," the head of the European Commission stressed.

Earlier, European Commission Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said that "the EU must come up with a strong and credible package of sanctions against atrocities".

 On 5 April, the prime ministers of Poland and the United Kingdom discussed tough sanctions against russia.