The sixth package, including a partial embargo of Russian crude oil imported by sea by the end of the year, has been the most laborious one, with Hungary emerging as a major stumbling block for EU unity. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU has agreed on six packages of sanctions that include asset freezes and visa bans on Russian oligarchs and officials, export controls, freezing central bank assets, disconnecting banks from the SWIFT messaging system and a ban on imports of Russian coal and oil. Realistically, the current package could be counted more as a 6+, rather than a number 7. It will also include a push to counter a prevailing Russian narrative that EU’s sanctions contribute to hunger worldwide by blocking exports of grain and food.Īsked about their expectations, EU diplomats told EURACTIV that they expect this next round of punitive measures to likely be adopted without significant issues. The EU, meanwhile, is set to tighten sanctions against Russia, readying a new “maintenance and alignment” package to be approved by member states’ ambassadors during their meetings on Wednesday or Friday.Īs previewed by EURACTIV earlier this week, the proposal aims to ban Russian gold imports, introduce stricter reporting requirements for asset freezes of sanctioned individuals and tighten dual-use and advanced-technology export controls. While the heaviest fighting has continued to focus on the industrial Donbas region in the east, in the northeast near Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv, Russian missile strikes continue to hit deep into Ukrainian territory. More than 20 weeks since Russia invaded its neighbour, killing thousands and displacing millions of Ukrainians, Moscow announced on Saturday that it would step up its military operations. In this week’s edition: EU’s next sanctions round, last FAC of the season and North Macedonia moving. You can subscribe to receive our newsletter here. Welcome to EURACTIV’s Global Europe Brief, your weekly update on the EU from a global perspective.
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