According to sources cited by Reuters, the European Commission (EC) is expected to implement its seventh batch of sanctions against Russia relating to the Ukraine on Friday. According to reports, it will prohibit the entry of Russian gold into the EU and through other nations.
According to the sources, Brussels will also tighten several current regulations, including new import limitations on products like machinery and chemicals that may be used for military reasons.
New individuals and entities considered close to the Kremlin will reportedly be added to the EU blacklist mandating asset freezes and travel bans.
The EC will also amend the previous punitive measures to make sure they do not hit Russia’s food and grain exports, several officials told Reuters.
Some of the proposed changes are also meant to ensure that existing restrictions – such as the ban on Russian ships accessing EU ports – are not misinterpreted by entities conducting trade, one of the sources said. The port ban, for example, already allows Russian ships carrying food or medicines to enter EU ports.
Meanwhile, while clarifying that Russian vessels laden with food and medicine can enter ports, for other ships the ban is expected to be tightened by preventing such ships from offloading their cargoes at outer docks, thus bypassing sanctions, the sources noted.
EU envoys are set to discuss the new package next week for final approval before the summer break, according to Reuters.
