The European Union approved the twelfth package of sanctions against Russia

The European Council approved a new, twelfth package of economic sanctions against Russia. It contains a ban on the import of Russian diamonds, tightening of re-export rules and the introduction of new personal sanctions.

European countries will no longer buy diamonds from Russia. The ban applies to diamonds from other countries transiting through Russia, and to diamonds of Russian origin that have undergone processing in third countries.

Switzerland, not being a member of the European Union, joins the sanctions related to the ban on the import of Russian iron and steel.

The EU will tighten import and export control under the “Not to Russia” rule. In accordance with it, contracts concluded by European exporters must contain a clause prohibiting the resale of goods and technologies that may be used for military purposes or for the development of military systems in Russia. The list of such goods is also supplemented: some chemicals, lithium batteries, thermostats, DC motors and servo drives for unmanned aerial vehicles, machine tools and equipment parts are added to it.

Finally, the EU introduced additional restrictions on the import of goods that bring significant income to Russia and thereby allow it to continue its war against Ukraine. These are some types of cast iron, copper and aluminum wire and foil, pipes. A new ban on the import of liquefied propane is introduced with a 12-month transition period. More stringent measures will be introduced to comply with the price ceiling for Russian oil.

In addition, the European Union has expanded the register of Russian or Russian-related organizations subject to personal sanctions, including 29 more legal entities. Europe considers them directly involved in the financing of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Their list has not yet been officially published. However, the investigative project of Radio Liberty and “Sistema” of “Nastoyaschego Vremeny” got acquainted with the draft. According to journalists, in particular, the Russian financial intelligence agency – Rosfinmonitoring, as well as its director, Yury Chikhanchyn, may fall under the ban.

On the other hand, the European Council decided to make some exceptions to the restrictions on the import of items of personal use, such as items of personal hygiene and clothing, as well as on the entry into the EU of those cars that have a diplomatic registration number. In addition, in order to facilitate the entry into the EU of citizens of the European Union living in Russia, member states may allow the entry of their cars on the condition that these cars are not intended for sale and are used exclusively for personal purposes.