EU approves 19th package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine
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Ukrainian experts inspecting debris from a Russian drone at the site of an attack on a kindergarten in Kharkiv, northeastern Ukraine, on Oct 22.
PHOTO: EPA
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- EU nations approved a 19th sanction package against Russia, including a ban on Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports.
- LNG ban impacts short-term contracts in six months and long-term contracts from January 1, 2027, a year earlier than planned.
- Package includes travel restrictions on Russian diplomats and lists 117 more vessels, mostly tankers, from Moscow's shadow fleet.
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BRUSSELS - EU countries approved a 19th package of sanctions against Russia over its war against Ukraine
“We are very pleased to announce that we have just been notified by the remaining member state that it’s now able to lift its reservation on the 19th sanctions package,” it said.
Slovakia was the final holdout after EU countries agreed on the final text last week. Slovakia’s Prime Minister Fico wanted assurances from the European Commission on high energy prices and aligning climate targets with the needs of carmakers and heavy industry.
A Slovak diplomat said the country’s demands were met in new clauses added to the final communique for the EU leaders summit on Oct 23.
“Consequently, a written procedure for Council approval has been launched. If no objections are received, the package will be adopted tomorrow by 8am,” it added.
The LNG ban will take effect in two stages: short-term contracts will end after six months and long-term contracts from Jan 1, 2027. The full ban comes a year earlier than the Commission’s proposed roadmap to end the bloc’s reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
The new package also adds new travel restrictions on Russian diplomats and lists 117 more vessels from Moscow’s shadow fleet,
The listings include banks in Kazakhstan and Belarus, the presidency said.
EU diplomatic sources told Reuters that four entities linked to China’s oil industry will be listed but the names will not be made public until the official adoption on Oct 23.
These include two oil refineries, a trading company and an entity which helps in the circumvention in oil and other sectors. REUTERS
