Brussels wants to pass a tenth package of sanctions against Russia before the first anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
By Anne Rovan
Published 2/15/2023 at 6:44 PM, updated 2/15/2023 at 7:42 PM
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EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday in the European Parliament. FREDERICK FLORIN / AFP
Brussels
Seven Iranian companies that supplied drones to Russia are being targeted by the Europeans. They should be subject to an export ban on sensitive products in the tenth package of sanctions against Russia. This was announced by Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday in the European Parliament. “There are hundreds of Iranian-made drones used by Russia on the battlefield in Ukraine. These Iranian drones are killing Ukrainian civilians…that’s why, for the first time, we are also proposing sanctions against Iranian economic actors, including those associated with the Revolutionary Guards,” reasoned the President of the European Commission. Before you warn the other countries that support Russia. “We are ready to list other Iranian entities and other third countries supplying sensitive technology to Russia. That should be a big deterrent.” Beijing is also targeted in this new package of measures by tightening controls over the sale of satellite data to China, which can then be sent to Russia.
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EU ambassadors on Wednesday had their first meeting dedicated to the tenth package of sanctions against Russia, coordinated with the G7. The aim is for it to be adopted no later than February 24, the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
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New export bans
This package of measures worth 11 billion euros provides in particular for new export bans to Russia for the products and technologies that Moscow needs and must obtain from third countries. These are electronic products, special vehicles, spare parts for trucks and jet engines, antennas and cranes listed under “VDL”. A turning point is also foreseen in “exports of dual-use goods and advanced technology products”. Accordingly, controls would be introduced on “47 new electronic components used in Russian defense systems, including drones, missiles and helicopters”, as well as “rare earth materials and certain thermal imaging cameras”.
At the same time, four other Russian banks are to be cut off from the Swift international country system. Measures are also envisaged for Russians on the boards of European joint ventures, where part of the capital is Russian, and also to combat Russian disinformation. “VDL” denounced “an army of propagandists and disinformation networks” who “spread toxic lies to polarize our societies”. 100 individuals and organizations would also be added to the sanctions list.
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Unsurprisingly, and as they have done every time since the start of the war in Ukraine, the Polish and Baltic ambassadors on Wednesday called for further sanctions against Russia during Wednesday’s meeting. A next meeting between the representatives of the member states is scheduled for next Tuesday with the aim of reaching an agreement the next day. The adoption of sanctions requires the unanimity of the member states.
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Member states also agreed on Wednesday to set up a working group to look into mobilizing frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine’s reconstruction. The aim is to examine to what extent this manna could be used for this purpose, while legal questions arise. It would still be necessary to know who holds these assets. The EU executive is considering forcing banks to release information about frozen assets of the Central Bank of Russia. The same applies to frozen assets of sanctioned entities and individuals. The Commission is threatening recalcitrant banks with fines.