Two years after Russia’s invasion and war of aggression in UkraineEU member states approved one 13th package of sanctions against the Putin regime and those who are responsible and support this “illegal, unprovoked and unjustified” war.

This new package of sanctions imposes restrictive measures on individuals and companies related to the transfer of arms from North Korea to Russia, individuals responsible for the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine, as well as companies from third countries (including a Turkish company) believed to be helping to circumvent sanctions.

According to a statement from the Council of the EU, today’s package includes the following measures:

Individual listings

EU member states decided to impose restrictive measures to an additional 106 individuals and 88 entities responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The new listings mainly target the military and defense sector and people connected to it, including those involved in the supply of arms from North Korea to Russia, as well as members of the judiciary, local politicians and people responsible for illegal deportation and the military retraining of children from Ukraine.

In total, the EU has imposed restrictive measures on more than 2000 individuals and entities, which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Blacklisted names or companies are subject to an asset freeze. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or passing through EU territories.

Import-export controls and restrictions

EU member states have decided to add 27 new entities to their list which directly support Russia’s military and industrial complex. These entities will be subject to stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology that may contribute to the improvement of Russia’s defense and security. Some of these entities are located in third countries (India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Turkey) and have been involved in circumventing trade restrictions, others are Russian entities involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components for the military and industrial complex of Russia.

Furthermore, today’s list of items that could contribute to the technological improvement of Russia’s defense and security sector the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is also added.

End, the EU introduced further restrictions on the export of goods which contribute in particular to the strengthening of Russian industrial capabilities, such as electrical transformers.

Iron and steel

Today’s decision adds the UK to the list of partner countries that apply a range of restrictive measures on iron and steel imports from Russia and a range of import control measures that are substantially equivalent to those of the EU.

The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, said: “As we reach the sad two-year mark since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union continues to pressure Russia. Today, we are further intensifying restrictive measures against Russia’s military and defense sector, targeting further entities in third countries that supply equipment, as well as those responsible for the illegal deportation and military retraining of Ukrainian children.We remain united in our determination to strike at Russia’s war machine and help Ukraine win its legitimate struggle for self-defense and restore independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty.”