Brussels - Saba:
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday that the European Union countries have reached a new agreement to impose a new package of economic sanctions against Russia.
Von der Leyen explained, via a post on the "X" platform, that the European Union is also working to prevent circumvention of the imposed sanctions, stressing that the Union is committed to "continuing pressure on the Kremlin."
The new sanctions, the full details of which have not yet been revealed, include several strict measures, most notably a gradual ban on Russian aluminum imports to European Union countries, and the imposition of new sanctions targeting some Russian banks, in addition to a number of individuals and companies linked to the Russian government.
It also includes tightening restrictions on Russian crude oil sales, especially with regard to ships used in smuggling operations, as 73 tankers were included in the sanctions list, claiming that they belong to the Russian shadow fleet used to export crude oil in violation of international restrictions.
The decision comes a few days before the third anniversary of the Russian-Ukrainian war, as the Polish presidency of the European Union confirmed that the ambassadors of the EU countries supported the new package, and it is expected to be officially adopted next Monday during the meeting of EU foreign ministers.
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