EU ambassadors agree on 'powerful' 14th package of sanctions against Russia
EU ambassadors agreed on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia in response to Russia's war against Ukraine, announced the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The new package was described as "powerful" and "substantial".
"This package provides new targeted measures and maximises the impact of existing sanctions by closing loopholes," the message reads.
According to Reuters, officials from 27 EU countries have been discussing the new package for more than a month. The new measures include a ban on the transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas, a plan to hold EU operators responsible for sanctions violations by subsidiaries and partners in third countries.
Approval of the package was blocked by Germany. Berlin's hesitation was partly related to internal disagreements between the German Foreign Ministry and the chancellor's office, writes Reuters citing sources.
Journalist Rikard Jozwiak clarifies that the controversial issue concerned "the no Russia clause." This means that exporters and suppliers from the EU are obliged to include in certain sales contracts appropriate wording that prohibits the re-export of restricted goods to Russia. Such a clause was already included in the 12th package of sanctions, but in the 14th it was planned to expand it to subsidiaries in third countries. But it was deleted in the compromise text, writes Reuters.
According to a version of the May 3 documents seen by Politico, the new sanctions package also includes restrictions on a number of Russian propaganda media — RIA Novosti, Izvestia, Russkaya Gazeta, as well as a new outlet Voice of Europe, which is linked to former Ukrainian MP Viktor Medvedchuk.