The European Union is considering the possibility of introducing sanctions against the banking and energy sectors as part of the 19th package of restrictions against Russia, Bloomberg reports, citing informed sources.
According to them, the EU is discussing the introduction of new sanctions against a number of Russian banks and energy companies. The 19th package also includes measures against the Russian payment system and bank cards, cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as additional restrictions on oil trading.
In addition, the EU plans to expand blacklists to include vessels associated with Russia, introduce restrictions for oil traders from third countries, prohibit the reinsurance of sanctioned tankers, and tighten restrictions on Russian oil companies. In particular, Rosneft and Lukoil are on the list.
The European Union also intends to impose a ban on the export of a number of goods and chemicals used by the Russian defense industry, as well as impose trade restrictions on companies, including firms from China, that supply such materials. According to the agency’s sources, the EU plans to apply the mechanism to combat sanctions circumvention for the first time, targeting Kazakhstan, which exports industrial equipment suitable for weapons production to Russia.
Additional restrictions could affect visa regimes, ports that receive sanctioned ships, as well as services related to artificial intelligence technologies that could have military applications.
According to Bloomberg, the EU expects to coordinate some of these measures with the United States. An official announcement is expected in the coming days.
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