The EU countries intend to agree on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia by July, the portal “EU Observer” announced, referring to the draft of the relevant document.
The draft document states that the new package does not limit the freedom of movement of Russian diplomats in the EU, nor does it prohibit the import of Russian liquefied natural gas, nuclear fuel or aluminum.
Another 52 companies from Russia and other countries suspected of sending banned goods to Moscow, especially components for unmanned aerial vehicles, will be targeted for sanctions.
Moreover, the new package of sanctions proposes a ban on funding from Russia for “European political parties and European political foundations”, “non-governmental organizations” and “those who provide media services” across the EU, according to “EU Observer”.
Under the new sanctions draft, EU ports are banned from handling shipments of Russian liquefied natural gas to non-EU countries, and ships that help Russia circumvent sanctions are barred from EU ports. In addition, existing EU restrictions on Russian aviation and the import of Russian helium and various minerals are being tightened.
The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, said earlier that negotiations on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia are difficult in the EU, which most likely will not contain new restrictions, but are only attempts to oppose Russian measures to overcome the blockade of sanctions.
The European Commission started developing this package of sanctions against Moscow immediately after the adoption of the 13th package, which was approved on February 23. The restrictions affected 106 individuals and 88 legal entities from Russia and a number of other countries, including India, Kazakhstan, China, Serbia, Thailand, Turkey and Sri Lanka.
