BRUSSELS (AFP) – The EU on Wednesday (March 9) added 160 Russian oligarchs and lawmakers to its blacklist, focused crypto-assets and hit the maritime sector because it tightened sanctions over Moscow’s struggle in Ukraine.
The 27-nation bloc additionally gave the go-ahead to chop three Belarusian banks from the worldwide SWIFT messaging system over Minsk’s assist for the Kremlin’s assault.
The EU is seeking to shut off loopholes within the unprecedented barrage of sanctions it unleashed together with Western allies after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched the invasion.
“We are further tightening the net of sanctions responding to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen tweeted.
A press release mentioned 146 members of Russia’s higher home of parliament and 14 Kremlin-linked oligarchs and their kinfolk could be added to the belongings freeze and visa ban blacklist.
Those hit included multi-billionaire coal and fertiliser magnate Andrei Melnichenko, Aeroflot chief govt officer Mikhail Poluboyarinov, and pipeline tycoon Dmitry Pumpyansky.
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In addition, there was additionally chemical compounds billionaire Dmitry Mazepin and his son Nikita, a Formula 1 driver who was lately sacked by his group Haas.
In an indication the EU is now going after the kinfolk of distinguished figures it additionally blacklisted the son-in-law of overseas minister Sergei Lavrov, main meals retailer Alexander Vinokurov.
The bloc may even broaden restrictions to cowl cryptocurrencies in a bid to stop sanctioned people and corporations utilizing the encrypted digital methods to bypass the sanctions.
The measures in opposition to the maritime sector will prohibit exports of “navigation and radio communication technology” to Russia.
Kremlin ally Belarus has been used as a key launchpad for Moscow’s offensive and the EU can also be stepping up measures in opposition to the nation.
That consists of chopping three banks – Belagroprombank, Bank Dabrabyt, and the Development Bank of the Republic of Belarus – from the SWIFT system.
