European Commission adopts draft 14th package of sanctions against RF

The European Commission has sent to the EU countries a draft proposal for the 14th package of sanctions against Russia, which includes, among other things, restrictions on imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, although a full embargo is not planned.

The details of the proposal have been revealed by Polish Radio, according to Evropeiska Pravda.

The package includes a ban on the transshipment of Russian LNG into European ports, from where it is then shipped around the world. Belgium and its port of Zeebrugge are the leaders here, but France and Spain are also among the largest recipients of Russian LNG.

In addition, the sanctions would apply to Russia's Arctic and Murmansk LNG projects.

The Commission also wants to impose sanctions on several vessels from the so-called "shadow fleet" of the Russian Federation that transport Russian oil despite EU restrictions. They will be banned from entering European ports.

Also, according to the proposal, transportation companies that are at least a quarter owned by Russians will be banned from operating in the EU.

The Commission has also prepared a sanctions list of more than 50 companies from outside the EU that are subject to trade restrictions. They provide Russia with Western components and help to circumvent sanctions.

Earlier, it was reported that the sanctions would apply to companies from China, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Kyrgyzstan.

Russian funding of political parties and foundations, as well as non-governmental organizations and research centers, will also be banned.

Symbolically, the European Commission has proposed to ban the sale of Ukrainian artworks on the EU market if there are suspicions that they may have been looted.

There is no ban on aluminum imports in the draft, but there is a ban on helium imports.

As for the export ban, it will apply, in particular, to manganese ore, mining machinery, monitors, and electronics.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 07/05/2024