Nordic countries and Czechia urge European Commission to prepare new sectoral sanctions against Russia
A group of Nordic and Baltic countries, together with Czechia, have called on the European Commission to prepare a proposal for new sectoral sanctions against Russia and further curtail trade with the aggressor country.
Source: European Pravda, citing a joint letter posted by Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Quote: "Only 60% of our trade with Russia is subject to EU sanctions. There is 40% more to go to stop feeding the aggressor's war machine."
Details: In the letter, the foreign ministers of the signatory countries note that the EU has not yet exhausted its options for imposing sanctions on Russia and that sanctions pressure should be increased, while also strengthening safeguards against circumventing existing restrictions.
Quote from the letter: "We urge the European Commission to present a proposal for the next package of sectoral sanctions as soon as possible. Although the additional listing of individuals and entities for the second anniversary of the war is an effective measure, we believe that it should be complemented, with utmost priority, with efficient sectoral sanctions.
Our focus should be on further cutting Russian revenues to finance the war, cutting off its access to sensitive goods and technology empowering its military machine, and tackling evasion and circumvention of sanctions."
The letter is signed by the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Czechia.
As Russia continues its war in #Ukraine & against the rules-based world,🇪🇪🇨🇿🇩🇰🇫🇮🇱🇻🇱🇹🇸🇪urge @EU_Commission to present a proposal of new sectoral sanctions.
— Margus Tsahkna (@Tsahkna) February 9, 2024
Only 60% of our trade with Russia is under #EU sanctions. There is 40% more to go to stop feeding the aggressors war machine. pic.twitter.com/BJjtBRq0RT
Background:
- The European Union is preparing a new package of sanctions against Russia to be approved by the second anniversary of the full-scale war. According to media reports, it is expected to include about 120 or more individuals and companies, including some involved in arms imports from North Korea.
- The EU approved its 12th package of sanctions against Russia on 18 December 2023. The aggressor country's diamond industry was particularly affected by the restrictions.
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