Brussels, 25 Feb. In the first year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) passed ten sanctions packages aimed at weakening the Kremlin’s ability to fund the war, the latest on Friday.
1. First package of sanctions for the recognition of the independence of Donetsk and Lugansk (February 23, 2022)
– It froze the assets and prohibited entry into Community territory of a list of 351 members of the Russian State Duma and 27 other persons and entities.
– Restricted economic relations with the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk not controlled by kyiv.
– It limited the access of the Russian government and the Central Bank to the economic and financial markets of the EU.
2. Second sanctions package, in response to the invasion (February 25, 2022)
-Addition of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the sanctioned list.
– Extension of financial restrictions, which would affect 70% of the Russian banking market and state enterprises, also in the field of defence.
– New sanctions in the energy, transport and technology sectors, as well as visa policy.
3. Third package (February 28 and March 2, 2022)
– Prohibits transactions with the Central Bank of Russia and access to the SWIFT system to seven banks.
– Suspends Russian-owned broadcast activities, Sputnik and Russia Today.
– Prohibits Russian companies from flying over airspace and accessing EU airports.
4. Fourth Round (March 15, 2022)
– Members of the elites close to the regime and concerned businessmen are added to the list, including the oligarch Roman Abramovich.
– Prohibits transactions with certain state-owned companies and the provision of any credit rating service
– Vetoes new investments in the Russian energy sector.
5. Fifth package, after learning of the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces (April 8, 2022)
– Russian coal import ban from August
– Total ban on transactions with four major banks and closure of EU ports
6. Sixth sanctions package (June 3, 2022)
– Partial embargo on Russian oil imports after overcoming pending obstacles in some countries. It came into force six months later for crude oil and another for other refined products.
– More banks excluded from Swift, including Sberbank and Credit Bank of Moscow.
– No longer sanctioned on the list, but the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Cyril, is excluded at the request of Hungary.
– Extension of the suspension of broadcasting activities in the EU to RTR Planeta, Russia 24 and TV Center International.
7. Seventh Package, Improvement (July 21, 2022)
– In addition, it prohibits the purchase, import or transfer of gold originating in Russia, including jewelry.
– Sanctions on 54 other people and 10 entities, including the mayor of Moscow and Sberbank.
8. Eighth Pack (October 6, 2022)
– Introduces into EU legislation the basis for setting the oil price limit agreed with the G7, which prohibits the maritime transport of Russian crude oil to third countries.
– In December, a limit of 60 dollars per barrel of crude oil was set, and in February, a maximum was established for the transport of diesel and other derivatives of Russian oil, 100 dollars and 45 dollars.
– Prohibition of European citizens from sitting on the boards of directors of Russian public companies: the former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder had to leave his post in several, such as Gazprom.
9. Ninth Pack (December 16, 2022)
– It allowed the unfreezing of the funds of oligarchs or previously sanctioned Russian companies which were necessary to transport wheat or fertilizers to third countries and thus reduce food insecurity
– He sanctioned nine Russian ministers, as well as five political parties, including one United Russia, of President Vladimir Putin.
– Prohibition of drone motor exports and investments in the mining sector.
10. Tenth Package: A Year of War
– I veto 47 electronic components that Russia can use in its weapons systems, such as drones, missiles and helicopters.
– Sanctions seven Iranian companies linked to the Revolutionary Guards which manufacture the drones with which Moscow bombs Ukraine.
– 121 Russian individuals and companies are added to the sanctioned list, which already numbers more than 1,500 people. EFE
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