The European Union has adopted further sanctions against Russia and its supporters. The EU foreign ministers brought the 15th sanctions package since the war in Ukraine began to the table at a meeting in Brussels on Monday.
The Council of the EU agreed on a package that includes 54 individuals and 30 entities, responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine. This includes a military unit responsible for the attack on a children’s hospital in Kiev. The sanctions also target top executives of leading energy companies, individuals responsible for the deportation of children and propaganda, as well as two high-ranking representatives of North Korea.
Regarding companies, the EU is primarily targeting Russian arms and shipping companies responsible for the transportation of oil and oil products by sea, which are important revenue sources for the Russian government. In addition, a chemical plant and a civilian Russian airline that provides significant logistical support to the Russian military were added to the list.
For the first time, full sanctions, including travel bans, freezing of assets, and a ban on the provision of economic resources, were imposed on various Chinese actors who supply drone components and micro-electronic components to support Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
The measures also target the so-called Russian “shadow fleet”. This refers to tankers under foreign flags that Russia uses to bypass the two-year-old oil embargo. For this reason, 52 ships from third countries were put on the list on Monday, bringing the total number of affected ships to 79.
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas described the package as a sign of the unity of EU member states in continued support for Ukraine. “Our immediate priority is to bring Ukraine into the strongest possible position” she said. “We will stand by the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic, and military.” There can be no doubt that Ukraine will win.