The European Commission will propose a 13th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation, which will include visa bans and asset freezes for hundreds of people, but without any new import bans.
The 13th package of sanctions against the Russian Federation: what is known
Radio Liberty journalist Rikard Jozwiak reported that the 13th package of sanctions will be the weakest of all. According to the journalist, the package will include visa bans and freezing of assets of about 250 individuals and organizations.
By the second anniversary of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, this will be the weakest and least ambitious package of sanctions to date, Yozvyak noted.
Reuters, citing unnamed EU diplomats, writes that the package will not include any new import bans.
Some EU countries are calling for a ban on more Russian exports, such as aluminum, but the Commission will propose a package that will cause minimal debate among member states to be quickly adopted by February 24.
The package must be approved unanimously.
There will be hundreds of lists... of legal entities and individuals. No big names (companies), — said one of the diplomats.
The package will also expand the list of Russian companies to which EU firms cannot sell dual purpose goods .
The sources added that once the 13th sanctions package is approved, the Commission will quickly propose a 14th package, which could include some new import bans.
The EU has already banned the import of major goods, such as the import of Russian oil by sea and, more recently, diamonds.
Brussels believes there is little left for EU countries to reach unanimous agreement on, as sanctions on Russian nuclear fuel and liquefied natural gas are not currently under consideration.
