EU to ban transit of certain goods through Russia in new sanctions package

Bloomberg, citing sources, noted that the transit ban would apply to numerous technologies and other goods, including several types of vehicles.

“Other reports have revealed that some EU nations bordering Russia, including Finland and Estonia, have seen a surge in trade with countries in central Asia and that those goods have often transited through Russia. Some of the items stay in Russia or get re-exported from third countries to Russia,” the journalists noted. 

Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania insisted that the EU impose a ban on the transit through Russia of goods and technologies that could be used by the Russian military, aviation, and space industries, as well as goods that could contribute to strengthening Moscow's industrial potential.

Experts said the new package of proposed sanctions could target tankers and ships that do not turn on navigation systems that allow them to track their movements.

“The main focus of the package that the EU’s executive arm is putting together will be to close loopholes and deal with the circumvention of existing restrictions, including by companies in third countries,” Bloomberg added. 

• The European Commission said that all signatories to the Rome Statute are obliged to execute the arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova.

• The European Commission is working to use the blocked or frozen Russian assets in the reconstruction of Ukraine: discussions are ongoing in the EU Council working group.