Russian Special Operation in Ukraine: Fifth package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus approved

On April 9, 2022, the European Council approved the fifth package of sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

Below are the measures envisaged by the package with a direct impact on transport.

Towards Russia and Belarus

A ban on Russian and Belarusian road haulage companies from transporting goods by road within the Union, including in transit. However, exemptions are granted for a number of products, such as natural gas, oil, etc., pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and food products, goods for humanitarian purposes and cultural goods.

We point out that this prohibition does not apply until April 16, 2022, to the transport of goods started before April 9, 2022, provided that the vehicle of the road transport company:

was already in the territory of the Union on 9 April 2022, or

must transit through the Union to return to Russia / Belarus.

Towards Russia

- From 10 August 2022, a ban on the purchase, import or transfer to the EU, directly or indirectly, coal and other solid fossil fuels, whether originating in Russia or exported from Russia, must be observed.

- The ban on giving access to EU ports after 16 April 2022 to ships registered under the Russian flag.

However, there are exceptions for:

for maritime safety reasons, or to save lives at sea

natural gas and petroleum, and related refined products

pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and food products

humanitarian purposes

nuclear fuel and other items strictly necessary for the functioning of civilian nuclear capabilities;

coal and other solid fossil fuels

- Further export bans, direct / indirect, of turbines and fuel additives as well as other goods, such as quantum computers and advanced semiconductors, high-end electronics, software, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment, as well as new import bans for products such as wood, concrete, fertilizers, seafood and spirits.

These prohibitions do not apply to the execution, until August 10, 2022, of contracts concluded before April 9, 2022 or of ancillary contracts necessary for the execution of such contracts.

- Finally, the list of goods and technologies whose export is prohibited, as per art. 3 ter, paragraph 1, ie goods and technologies suitable for use in oil refining and natural gas liquefaction.