The European Commission has officially proposed the tenth package of sanctions against Russia in connection with the aggressive war against Ukraine for approval by the member states, according to a statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Josep Borrell.
“For almost one year now, Russia's war of aggression has been sowing death and destruction. Putin is not only waging a brutal war on the battlefield but he is also viciously targeting civilians. The aggressor has to pay for this. Today, we are turning up the pressure with a 10th package of sanctions,” the message says.
First, the EU proposes further export bans worth more than €11 billion, to deprive the Russian economy of critical technology and industrial goods. For maximum impact, the sanctions are targeting many industrial goods that Russia needs, and that it cannot get through backfilling by third countries. Vital goods such as electronics, specialized vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines. And goods for the construction sector which can be directed to Russia's military, such as antennas or cranes.
Second, the EU further restrict the export of dual-use goods and advanced tech goods. It proposes controls on 47 new electronic components that can be used in Russian weapons systems, including drones, missiles, helicopters. And on specific rare earth materials and thermal cameras. With this, the package has banned all tech products found on the battlefield. And the EU will make sure they don't find other ways to get there. This is why, for the first time ever, the Union is adding third-country entities to the Russia dual-use sanctions. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have been providing Russia with Shahed drones to attack civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Therefore, the EU is now adding seven Iranian entities to the dual-use regime. They are now under a complete ban to sell sensitive items to Russia. And the EU stand ready to list further Iranian and other third-country entities that are providing sensitive technology to Russia. This should act as a strong deterrent to other companies and international traders.
The third point is about Russia's propaganda machine. Putin is also waging war in the public space, with an army of propagandists and disinformation networks. They are spreading toxic lies to polarise our societies. So the EU is proposing to list Putin's propagandists as well as additional military and political commanders.
These are the toughest sanctions ever introduced by the European Union. And it is necessary to ensure that they are strictly applied. Therefore, the 10th package introduces new measures to prevent circumvention. This is the fourth point. The EU will track oligarchs trying to hide or to sell their assets to escape sanctions. And together with Member States, it will set up an overview of all frozen assets of the Russian central bank held in the EU. It is necessary to know where these are located and how much they are worth. This is crucial in view of the possible use of public Russian assets to fund reconstruction in Ukraine.
The message also says that the EU is working closely with Member States, operators and partner countries to tackle circumvention. Its special envoy David O'Sullivan is reaching out to third countries, to ensure strict implementation of sanctions and prevent circumvention. And next week, a Sanctions Coordinators Forum will be held, gathering the international partners and Member States, to strengthen enforcement efforts.
“Together, we are tightening the screws on Russia more and more. I call on the Member States to adopt this new package of sanctions swiftly. Our aim is to have, together with our G7 partners, further significant sanctions in place by February 24 - exactly one year after Putin launched his imperial war,” Joseph Borrell concluded.
Ursula von der Leyen recently stated that Putin had lost the energy war against Europe. In particular, Russia's revenue from gas sales to Europe has shrunk by two-thirds. The oil price cap means that Russia is losing 160 million euros in revenue every day.