EU envoys agreed on Wednesday on the 16th package of sanctions against Russia, EU diplomats reported, including a ban on aluminum imports, the sale of gaming consoles, and the listing of 73 shadow fleet ships, writes Reuters.
The package is expected to be adopted by EU foreign ministers on Monday, on the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. «The EU is cracking down even harder on circumvention, targeting new ships of Putin's shadow fleet and introducing new import and export bans», — said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on social network X.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that exceptions are provided for Budapest regarding the use of Russian oil and petroleum products.
According to diplomats, the ban on aluminum imports will be introduced within a year from the official adoption of the package, which also adds 48 individuals and 35 legal entities to the sanctions list, including asset freezes and travel bans.
In recent months, the EU, along with other Western powers, has been tightening restrictions to reduce Russian oil exports. In addition to ships, envoys agreed to ban operations with ports and airports in Russia used to circumvent the price cap on Russian oil.
The new sanctions will be added to the already listed 79 ships, mostly tankers used by Russia to sell oil, or ships that assist Moscow in military actions, such as delivering ammunition from North Korea. The package also expands the criteria that the EU can use for sanctions against owners and operators of the shadow fleet, including captains, as well as those who provide military support.
According to one of the diplomats, the sale of gaming consoles, joysticks, and flight simulators will also be restricted, as they can be used by the Russian military to operate drones.
Among other bans are the export of chromium and certain chemicals, as well as a ban on servicing oil and gas refineries.