16th package of sanctions against Russia. Putin needs to come to his senses

On Wednesday, associate States' ambassadors to the EU unanimously approved fresh sanctions. The agreement was reached thanks to the compromise proposal of the Polish Presidency in the EU. Poland sought to adopt them before the 3rd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, on 24 February.

Harmful fleet of shadows

The fresh sanctions will cover more than 70 ships belonging to the alleged shadow fleet. Russia uses these units to circumvent global restrictions that impose a price limit on Russian oil. As a result, the Kremlin sells oil at higher prices, making more profits. The fleet of shadows consists mainly of obsolete, damaged ships, frequently uninsured, which makes no 1 liable in the case of, for example, oil spills. specified bodies are besides a serious threat to EU waters.

Oil and SWIFT

The decision taken in Brussels on Wednesday besides includes a ban on cooperation and transactions with respective ports and airports in Russia, which breach global sanctions on Russian oil. A ban on exports of aluminium from Russia to the EU has besides been introduced, as well as a ban on exports of certain chemicals from the EU to Russia.

The fresh package besides provides for the shut-down of respective further Russian banks from the SWIFT system, which allows safe settlement of transactions between financial institutions worldwide. deficiency of access to this strategy limits Russian banks' ability to make payments in global trade.

Russia must take responsibility

For 3 years Russia has continually bombed Ukraine, trying to bargain land that does not belong to it. This fresh package of sanctions not only hits the Russian shadow fleet, but besides those who support the activities of dangerous tankers, game controllers utilized to control drones, banks helping circumvent our sanctions and propaganda media spreading lies. There is no uncertainty who the aggressor is and who should pay and take work for this war said Kaja Kallas, advanced typical of the Union for abroad Affairs and safety Policy.

The Council besides decided to suspend EU broadcasting licences for 8 Russian media, which are constantly controlled by the Russian government. They were banned from issuing content in the EU. The list included: EADAily / Eurasia Daily, Fondsk, Lenta, NewsFront, RuBaltic, SouthFront, strategical Culture Foundation and Krasnaya Zvezda / Tvzvezda. As argued, These media played a key function in promoting and supporting the Russian war against Ukraine.