Brussels, September 12 (RIA Novosti) - Another round of EU economic sanctions targeting Russian oil, finance and defense sectors, will enter into force Friday, according to Thursday's press release by the Council of European Union.
"EU nationals and companies may no more provide loans to five major Russian state-owned banks," the statement reads. With details officially unknown, a number of Western media suggested the restrictions will be imposed on Sberbank, VTB Bank, Gazprombank, Rosselkhozbank and Vneshekonombank, already subject to the previous wave of sanctions. The five banks will not be allowed to trade new bonds or other financial instruments with the maturity exceeding 30 days, instead of the previous limit of 90 days, according to the European Council's statement.
The press release also said access to EU capital markets will be limited for three Russian oil corporations, which reports say are Rosneft, Gazpromneft and Transneft. The restrictions are also to ban the supply of services for drilling, well testing and logging to Russia, in addition to previously imposed restrictions on oil production equipment exportation to Russia.
The new sanctions list is said to continue restricting the export of dual-use technology, which could be used in both military and civilian production, extending it to nine more Russian defense companies, yet to be disclosed.
Finally, the list has the names of 24 more individuals, which reportedly includes the officials of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Crimean government members, and a number of Russian officials and businessmen, who will be barred entrance to the European Union member states and whose financial assets in Europe will be frozen.
The new wave of sanctions was adopted by the 28-member European Union earlier this week. Russian Foreign Ministry and Kremlin spokesperson have condemned the restrictions, which are to come into effect Friday, accusing Brussels of unwillingness to recognize Russia's peacemaking efforts in Ukraine and labeling the new restrictions as illegitimate. Washington is also going to introduce new anti-Russian sanctions, US President Barack Obama said Thursday.
