EU Imposes 13th Round of Sanctions on Russia in Bid to Cripple War Machine
Brussels, February [Current Date]: The European Union has agreed on its 13th package of sanctions against Russia, further tightening the economic screws on Moscow as the war in Ukraine nears its second anniversary.
This latest round, hailed as “one of the broadest approved by the EU”, follows 12 previous packages implemented since the conflict began in February 2022. The existing sanctions already target various sectors through trade embargoes, travel bans, and individual sanctions on Russian officials and businesses.
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The new package will see nearly 200 entities and individuals banned from traveling to the EU, while both the individuals and companies face freezes on their assets. “With 2,000 listings in total, we keep the pressure high on the Kremlin. We are also further cutting Russia’s access to drones,” von der Leyen wrote.
I welcome the agreement on our 13th sanctions package against Russia
⁰We must keep degrading Putin's war machine.
⁰With 2000 listings in total, we keep the pressure high on the Kremlin.
⁰We are also further cutting Russia’s access to drones. https://t.co/AfSxsEUB8x— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 21, 2024
Key Measures in the New Package:
- Nearly 200 individuals and entities will face travel bans and asset freezes. This brings the total number of sanctioned individuals and entities to over 2,000.
- Restrictions on drone technology: The EU aims to further cut off Russia’s access to drones and potentially sanction companies in China, Türkiye, India, and Serbia accused of supplying components that could be used in Russian drones and weapons.
- Continued pressure on the Kremlin: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the goal of “degrading Putin’s war machine” through these sanctions.
Reactions:
- China: Rejects “illegal sanctions” and vows to protect the interests of its companies.
- Russia: Condemns the sanctions, claiming they harm the EU more than Russia economically.
The effectiveness of these sanctions and their impact on the war in Ukraine remain to be seen. However, the EU’s commitment to applying pressure on Russia through economic measures is evident in this latest package.
