EU Approves 6th Package of Sanctions Against Moscow, Including Russian Oil Phase-Out
08:28 GMT 03.06.2022 (Updated: 11:44 GMT 09.02.2023)
© AP Photo / Virginia Mayo
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The European Union on Friday officially approved the sixth package of sanctions against Moscow, including a gradual phase-out of Russian oil and disconnection of more Russian banks from SWIFT.
"In light of Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine and Belarus' support to it, as well as the reported atrocities committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine, the Council decided today to impose a sixth package of economic and individual sanctions targeting both Russia and Belarus," the European Council said in a statement.
The new package includes a ban on "the purchase, import or transfer of crude oil and certain petroleum products from Russia into the EU," with the phase-out of Russian oil set to take "from 6 months for crude oil to 8 months for other refined petroleum products."
"A temporary exception is foreseen for imports of crude oil by pipeline into those EU member states that, due to their geographic situation, suffer from a specific dependence on Russian supplies and have no viable alternative options. Moreover, Bulgaria and Croatia will also benefit from temporary derogations concerning the import of Russian seaborne crude oil and vacuum gas oil respectively," the statement said.
The bloc also decided to de-SWIFT three more Russian banks — Russia's largest bank Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Russian Agricultural Bank.
"The EU is suspending the broadcasting activities in the EU of three more Russian state-owned outlets: Rossiya RTR/RTR Planeta, Rossiya 24 / Russia 24 and TV Centre International," the EU said, noting that "these measures will not prevent those media outlets and their staff from carrying out activities in the EU other than broadcasting, e.g. research and interviews."
In addition, the EU decided to extend the scope of sanctions on Russia and Belarus by restricting the export of dual-use goods and technology.
"Moreover, the EU will expand the list of goods and technology which may contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defence and security sector. This will include 80 chemicals which can be used to produce chemical weapons," the statement read.
The new package also bans the provision of EU services to the country, including accounting, public relations and consultancy, as well as cloud services.
According to the statement, several individuals and entities supporting Russia's special operation, oligarchs and Kremlin officials, as well as their family members, were added to the sanctions list.
The bloc added that the relevant legal acts will soon be published in its Official Journal.
