EU to target Russian banks and Ukraine invasion leaders in new sanctions

By Gabriela Baczynska

BRUSSELS, Feb 15 (Reuters) – Representatives of the European Union of 27 are meeting in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss a new round of sanctions against Russia, which are expected to include Russian politicians, military leaders and four other banks.

Any new measures, which would have to be agreed by the bloc to mark the anniversary of Moscow’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, would require the unanimous support of all EU member states.

“We will impose sanctions on a number of political and military leaders,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said last week after a summit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“We will target (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s propagandists because their lies are poisoning public space in Russia and abroad.”

“The package will include additional export bans worth more than 10 billion euros ($10.7 billion). This will further deprive Russia’s military machine of resources and continue to shake the foundations of its economy. “, did he declare.

The European Commission has since proposed to EU countries to exclude four other Russian banks, including private bank Alfa-Bank, online bank Tinkoff and commercial bank Rosbank from the global interbank payment system SWIFT, two sources said. EU diplomatic relations on condition of anonymity.

Rubber and asphalt would be added to the EU’s list of banned imports from Russia and the bloc would ban the Arabic-language service Russia Today from entering its territory, according to sources familiar with the confidential talks.

The export bans aim to stifle Russia’s ability to produce weapons and equipment deployed against Ukraine.

The sources said the new bans would include electronic circuits and components, thermal imaging cameras, radios and heavy vehicles, as well as steel and aluminum used in construction and machinery used for industrial purposes and/or of construction.

The Commission has also proposed new restrictions on European joint ventures with Russia and Russian citizens serving on boards in Europe, they added.

The blacklisting of those involved in the production of Iranian drones used in Ukraine was also among the measures mentioned.

The bloc intends to expand its measures against Russia and close loopholes in existing sanctions, for example by imposing stricter controls on the sale of satellite data to China.

The Netherlands has offered to blacklist Sun Ship Management, a unit of Dubai-based Russian shipping company Sovcomflot, which is subject to British, Canadian and American sanctions.

According to the company’s website, many of its ships fly the flag of Cyprus, an EU country. Cyprus’ diplomatic mission to the EU and Sun Ship Management did not respond to requests for comment.

The unanimity requirement means the attack on Russia’s nuclear industry will not be discussed due to opposition from Bulgaria and Hungary, despite pleas from Kiev and those more aggressive against Russia within the bloc, including Poland.

(1 dollar = 0.9311 euros)

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Spanish edition by Flora Gómez)