The permanent representatives of the Member States of the European Union failed to agree today at new package of sanctions against Russia suggested by the European Commission, as some technical issues need to be addressed first, such as if the ban on Russian coal imports will also apply to current contractsReuters reports, citing unnamed sources.
On Tuesday, the Commission proposed banning the import of all types of coal from Russia as part of measures to limit EU trade relations with Moscow.
At today’s meeting of the Permanent Representatives, however, some objectedsaid three sources in the Reuters agency.
It is unclear how the issue could be resolved, but diplomats were optimistic that a compromise could be reached at the next meeting of the Permanent Representatives on Thursday.
It is reminded that Yesterday, the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented via Twitter the fifth package of sanctions against Russia.
According to von der Leyen, the proposals include six pointswhich include, inter alia, ban on coal imports, ban on transactions with four Russian banks and blockade of road and sea transport.
The head of the Commission wrote on Twitter:
“Russia is waging a brutal, ruthless war, also against the civilian population of Ukraine.
We must maintain maximum pressure at this critical point.
So today we suggest a 5th package of sanctions
1. Prohibition of imports of coal from Russia, worth 4 billion euros per year, reducing another important source of revenue for Russia.
2. Complete ban on transactions in 4 major Russian banks, including VTB, the 2nd largest Russian bank.
3. Prohibition of access to EU ports by Russian ships and prohibition of road access to Russian and Belarusian transport companies.
4. Further € 10 billion export bans in critical sectors: advanced semiconductors, machinery and transport equipment
5. Specific new import bans, worth 5.5 billion euros.
6. Targeted measures, such as banning Russian companies from participating in public procurement in the EU and blocking any financial support, European or national, to Russian public bodies.
Finally, we propose more sanctions against individuals.
“We are also working on additional sanctions, including oil imports, and are considering some of the Member States’ ideas, such as taxes or specific payment channels, such as a guarantee account.”
Russia is waging a cruel, ruthless war, also against Ukraine’s civilian population.
We need to sustain utmost pressure at this critical point.
So today we are proposing a 5th package of sanctions. pic.twitter.com/GEuPQf0Wgr
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 5, 2022
1 – An import ban on coal from Russia, worth € 4 billion per year, cutting another important revenue source for Russia.
2 – A full transaction ban on 4 key Russian banks, among them VTB, the 2nd largest Russian bank. pic.twitter.com/MknRVScmbN
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 5, 2022
3 – A ban on Russian & Russian operated vessels from accessing EU ports and a ban on Russian and Belarusian road transport operators.
4 – Further export bans, worth € 10 billion, in crucial areas: advanced semiconductors, machinery and transport equipment pic.twitter.com/qLu1JZyhER
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 5, 2022
5 – Specific new import bans, worth € 5.5 billion euros.
6 – Targeted measures, such as a ban on participation of Russian companies in public procurement in 🇪🇺 and exclusion of all financial support, EU or national to Russian public bodies. pic.twitter.com/7loq1Sd00E
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 5, 2022
Finally, we are also proposing further listings of individuals.
We are also working on additional sanctions, including on oil imports, and reflecting on some of the ideas of the Member States, such as taxes or specific payment channels such as an escrow account. pic.twitter.com/bk9HjUNyUP
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 5, 2022
The full text of Ursula von der Leyen’s statements is as follows:
“We all saw the horrific images from Bukha and other areas from which the Russian forces recently withdrew. Yesterday I conveyed my condolences to President Zelensky and assured him of the European Commission’s full support in these difficult times. These atrocities cannot and will not go unanswered. The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must not go unpunished. The EU has set up a joint research team with Ukraine. Its mission is to gather evidence and investigate the commission of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.
Russia is waging a fierce and relentless war, not only against Ukraine’s brave troops, but also against its civilian population. It is important that we maintain maximum pressure on Putin and the Russian government at this critical time. The four sanctions have dealt a severe blow and limited the Kremlin’s political and economic choices. We see tangible results. But it is clear from the facts that we need to put even more pressure. Today we propose to take our sanctions one step further. We will expand and sharpen them in order to cut the Russian economy even deeper.
This fifth set has six pillars.
First, We will impose a ban on Russian coal exports, which are worth 4 billion a year. This will deprive Russia of another important source of revenue.
Secondly: a complete ban on the transactions of four Russian banks, including Russia’s second largest bank, VTB. These four banks, which we now completely cut off from the markets, have a market share of 23% in the Russian banking sector. This ban will further weaken Russia’s financial system.
Thirdly: ban on access to EU ports for Russian ships and ships of Russian interest. Some exceptions will cover basic needs such as agri-food products, humanitarian aid and energy. In addition, we will propose a ban on Russian and Belarusian road hauliers. The ban will drastically reduce the options available to Russian industry for the acquisition of key goods.
Fourth: additional targeted export bans of € 10 billion in areas where Russia is vulnerable. For example in quantum computers and advanced semiconductors, but also in sensitive machinery and transport equipment. In this way we will further undermine Russia’s technological base and industrial capabilities.
Fifth: special new import bans, amounting to 5.5 billion euros, to cut off the flow of money of Russia and its oligarchs in various products, from wood and cement to seafood and alcoholic beverages. At the same time, we will close the windows between Russia and Belarus.
Sixth: We are taking a number of very targeted measures, such as a general EU ban on Russian companies participating in public procurement in the Member States and the exclusion of any financial assistance, European or national, to Russian public bodies. Because the money of European taxpayers should not end up in Russia in any form and in any way.
Finally, we propose the registration of new people, about which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Joseph Borel, will speak to you. But we will not stay there. We are working on additional sanctions, which will include oil imports, and are considering some of the ideas presented by Member States, such as taxes or special payment channels, such as bail accounts.
Today, more than 40 countries have imposed similar sanctions. It is very important that we take a clear stand, not only for us here in Europe, but for the rest of the world. A clear stance against the war chosen by Putin. A clear position against the slaughter of civilians. And a clear position against the violation of the fundamental principles of world order.
Slava Ukrainian. “
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