EU passes additional Russia sanctions targeting China and shadow navy.
News Mania Desk / Piyal Chatterjee / 16th December 2024
The European Union has imposed a 15th package of sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, including stiffer penalties targeting Chinese firms and more boats from Moscow’s so-called shadow navy, the EU Commission announced on Monday. The latest sanctions package includes 52 boats from the shadow navy, which tries to transit oil, guns, and foodstuffs beyond Western constraints. It takes the total number mentioned to 79.
The EU began adding ships early this year in response to a rise in the number of boats carrying commodities that are neither regulated or insured by traditional Western suppliers. The list featured boats that transported North Korean munitions to Russia. The additional limitations include 84 new individuals and companies, seven of which are Chinese.
“Namely one individual and two entities facilitating the circumvention of EU sanctions, and four entities supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic components to the Russian military,” the statement said, referring to the Chinese listings.
The Chinese measures will be the first full-fledged penalties against the country, including a travel ban and an asset freeze. “The move to full-fledged sanctions sends a significant message to the Chinese. “We take this very seriously,” an EU diplomat stated.
EU sanctions director David O’Sullivan and Ukrainian authorities have identified China as the primary channel for foreign technology sales to Russia. According to diplomats, prior Chinese lists in Russian sanctions packages were solely for export controls, not an overarching sanction.
China will impose its first full-fledged penalties against the nation, including a travel ban and asset freeze.The decision to full-fledged sanctions sends a strong message to the Chinese. “We take this very seriously,” an EU diplomat said. EU sanctions director David O’Sullivan and Ukrainian officials have identified China as the key source of foreign technology sales to Russia. According to officials, previous Chinese lists in Russian sanctions packages were just for export controls, not as an overall penalty.