The EU will adopt the tenth package of sanctions against Russia on the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine – February 24, and against Belarus – even earlier.
Radio Liberty correspondent Rikard Jozwiak reports this, confirming the information of Reuters.
Then, in early March, the EU may review the price ceiling for Russian oil.
The new sanctions, in particular, involve the synchronization of restrictions imposed against Russia and Belarus.
Belarus may be left without Western electronics and technology. The Polish radio station RMF previously reported that among the restrictions on which the discussion continues, there are the following areas:
- an embargo on the supply of arms and dual-use equipment;
- an embargo on the import of household appliances and luxury goods;
- restrictions for Belarusian banks where Russians go to withdraw money.
The ninth package was introduced in December in response to Russia’s shift to missile terror against civilian targets in Ukraine after military setbacks at the front.
The European Union, Russia’s closest and richest trading partner, has already severed almost all ties with it, and there are few options for further tightening sanctions. In addition, their approval requires the unity of 27 countries of the bloc, but this is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve, since sanctions and the Kremlin’s response to them hit the pockets of Europe’s population, which is experiencing an energy crisis.
However, the EU insists that it will support Ukraine to the end and so far it has managed to convince even Hungary, which openly calls for lifting sanctions to restore the European economy.
The EU foreign ministers will certainly talk about a new package of sanctions at a meeting on Monday, January 23, but no decisions will be made, Reuters writes.
Among the possible options, the simplest is to expand the list of sanctions against individuals involved in Russian aggression. More drastic measures, like the nuclear power cut and the diamond embargo, have long been discussed but do not find majority support.
Source: Racurs
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