BRUSSELS –
The European Union imposed more sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine on Thursday after the bloc’s 27 members backed measures including a ban on gold imports and tight export controls. for some high-tech goods.
The European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the EU’s “prolonged, reinforced sanctions against the Kremlin” send “a strong signal to Moscow: we will keep the pressure high as long as there is room for it.” body.”
The EU has described the new round of sanctions as minor tweaks and aimed at aligning its actions with commitments from global partners. Any ban on Russian gas imports, which remains a lifeline for many developed EU industries, is not considered.
EU officials have been working all week to tighten the bloc’s far-reaching package of sanctions against Russia and seek to add a gold export ban, hoping the measures could start to have a decisive impact on the crisis. war in Ukraine.
On Thursday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was able to say, “We are effectively banning Russia’s most important export after energy – Russian gold.”
The group of seven leading industrial nations pledged to ban gold last month, arguing that Russia has used its gold to support its currency and avoid the impact of sanctions imposed by countries around the world. previously booked after the February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
The EU also tightened the noose on sanctioned individuals, often oligarchs close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
They now have to officially declare where they have their assets in the EU so their holdings can be frozen. The EU said refusal to do so could lead to criminal charges and property confiscation.
On Monday, the EU decided to increase military aid to Ukraine by 500 million euros.
