On February 25, the tenth package of sanctions that the EU will apply against Russia was published, one year after the start of the conflict in Ukraine. EU regulation 2023/427 of February 25, 2023 amends EU regulation 2014/833 by introducing further restrictions and prohibitions against the Russian Federation, in particular:
-
- Listed subjects and entities - about 120 new physical and legal subjects have been added among those listed: senior officials of the Russian government and army complicit in the war in Ukraine, subjects in command positions set up by the Russian army in the occupied territories, key players involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children, individuals and organizations responsible for disinformation campaigns in support of the war.
- Increased export bans and restrictions – following field surveys in conflict zones, the new package expands the list of export-prohibited dual-use items and advanced technologies that would, if not banned, allow for increased Russian war capabilities; among these are:
- electronic components intended for weapons systems
- thermal cameras with military application
- rare earths (chemical elements used for the manufacture of technological products)
- vehicles: trucks, semi-trailers and special vehicles such as snowmobiles
- goods that can easily be redirected to the Russian army: electric generators, binoculars, radars, compasses ...
- components for infrastructure and construction and complete industrial plants
- goods essential for the operation and enhancement of Russian production capacity (pumps, machinery parts, electronic components, metalworking machinery)
- products used in aviation.
In addition to the export ban, there is a ban on the transit of dual-use goods and firearms through Russian territory.
With this package, the EU sanctions around 49% of exports destined for Russia, for a total value of more than 44 billion euros.
- Further bans on imports into the EU: the new package imposes a ban on the import of bitumen and related materials such as asphalt and synthetic rubber and carbon black, a pigment produced by the combustion of heavy petroleum products; with these measures, 58% of imports of Russian goods into the EU are affected by sanctions.
- Other measures concern the financial sector, the implementation of measures to facilitate divestments in Russia by EU operators and the banning of some operators in the communications sector.