The twelfth package deal of latest sanctions towards Russia features a ban on the import, buy or switch of diamonds from Russia. It additionally reinforces enforcement and measures towards circumvention of sanctions.
The Council adopted as we speak a twelfth package deal of financial and particular person restrictive measures in view of the continued Russian warfare of aggression towards Ukraine. These measures ship an extra blow to Putin’s capacity to wage warfare by concentrating on high-value sectors of the Russian economic system and making it harder to avoid EU sanctions.
The agreed package deal consists of the next measures:
Diamonds
The EU is imposing a prohibition on the direct or oblique import, buy or switch of diamonds from Russia. This prohibition applies to diamonds originating in Russia, diamonds exported from Russia, diamonds transiting Russia and Russian diamonds when processed in third nations.
A direct ban applies to non-industrial pure and artificial diamonds in addition to diamond jewelry, as of 1 January 2024. Moreover, an oblique import ban of Russian diamonds when processed (i.e. minimize and/or polished) in third nations, together with jewelry incorporating diamonds originating in Russia, might be phased in progressively as of 1 March 2024 and be accomplished by 1 September 2024. This phasing-in of oblique import bans is justified by the necessity to deploy a traceability mechanism that permits efficient enforcement measures and minimises disruptions for the EU market.
The ban of Russian diamonds is a part of a G7 effort to develop an internationally coordinated diamond ban that goals at depriving Russia of this essential income supply.
No Russia clause
As we speak’s determination requires that EU exporters contractually prohibit re-exportation to Russia and re-exportation to be used in Russia of significantly delicate items and know-how, when promoting, supplying, transferring or exporting to a 3rd nation, except for accomplice nations. The clause covers prohibited gadgets utilized in Russian army methods discovered on the battlefield in Ukraine or important to the event, manufacturing or use of these Russian army methods, in addition to aviation items and weapons.Â
Import-export controls and restrictions
The Council added 29 new entities to the record of these instantly supporting Russia’s army and industrial advanced in its warfare of aggression towards Ukraine. They are going to be topic to tighter export restrictions regarding twin use items and applied sciences, in addition to items and know-how which could contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and safety sector. A few of these 29 entities belong to third nations concerned within the circumvention of commerce restrictions, or are Russian entities concerned within the improvement, manufacturing and provide of digital parts for Russia’s army and industrial advanced.
Moreover, as we speak’s determination expands the record of restricted gadgets that might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and safety sector to incorporate: chemical compounds, lithium batteries, thermostats, DC motors and servomotors for unmanned aerial automobiles (UAV), machine instruments and equipment elements.
Lastly, the EU launched additional restrictions on imports of products which generate important revenues for Russia and thereby allow the continuation of its warfare of aggression towards Ukraine, such pig iron and spiegeleisen, copper wires, aluminium wires, foil, tubes and pipes for a complete worth of €2.2 billion per 12 months. A brand new import ban is launched on liquefied propane (LPG) with a 12-month transitional interval.
Lastly, the Council determined to introduce some exemptions to import restrictions regarding private use gadgets, corresponding to private hygiene gadgets, or clothes worn by travellers or contained of their baggage, and for vehicles which have a diplomatic automobile registration plate to enter the EU. Moreover, in an effort to facilitate the entry into the Union of EU residents residing in Russia, member states can authorise the entry of their vehicles offered that the vehicles aren’t on the market and are pushed for strictly private use.
Enforcement and anti-circumvention measures
The transit ban that at the moment applies to twin use items and applied sciences exported from the EU to 3rd nations by way of the territory of Russia might be prolonged to all battlefield items.
In an effort to additional restrict circumvention, as we speak’s determination features a ban on Russian nationals from proudly owning, controlling or holding any posts on the governing our bodies of the authorized individuals, entities or our bodies offering crypto-asset pockets, account or custody companies to Russian individuals and residents.
Moreover, the prevailing prohibition on the supply of companies might be prolonged to additionally embody the supply of software program for the administration of enterprises and software program for industrial design and manufacture.
Lastly the EU is imposing notification necessities for the switch of funds exterior the EU by any entity established within the EU that’s owned or managed by an entity established in Russia, or by a Russian nationwide or pure particular person residing in Russia.
Enforcement of oil value cap
The Council is introducing tighter compliance guidelines to assist the implementation of the oil value cap and clamp down on circumvention. Moreover a strengthened data sharing mechanism will permit higher identification of vessels and entities finishing up misleading practices, corresponding to ship-to-ship transfers used to hide the origin or vacation spot of cargo and AIS manipulations, whereas transporting Russian crude oil and petroleum merchandise.
The Council additionally determined to introduce notification guidelines for the sale of tankers to any third nation in an effort to make extra clear their sale and export, specifically within the case of second-hand carriers that could possibly be used to evade the import ban on Russian crude or petroleum merchandise and the G7 Value Cap.
Iron and metal
As we speak’s determination provides Switzerland to a listing of accomplice nations which apply a set of restrictive measures on imports of iron and metal from Russia, and a set of import management measures which are considerably equal to these of the EU.
It additionally extends the wind-down durations for the import of particular metal merchandise.
Particular person listings
Along with financial sanctions, the Council determined to record a big quantity of further people and entities.
Background
Within the European Council conclusions of 26-27 October 2023, the EU reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s warfare of aggression towards Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Constitution and reaffirmed the EU’s unwavering assist for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity inside its internationally recognised borders and its inherent proper of self-defence towards the Russian aggression.
The European Union will proceed to offer sturdy monetary, financial, humanitarian, army and diplomatic assist to Ukraine and its folks for so long as it takes.
