The EU is preparing sanctions against Chinese companies for supporting the Russian military – Politico
The European Union plans to impose restrictions on Chinese companies that supply Russia with drone components and chemical materials for military use. A decision on the new sanctions package could be adopted on June 15.
The EU’s External Action Service proposes adding four Chinese companies to the sanctions list. According to Politico, they:
- serve Russia’s “shadow fleet”;
- supply chemicals to the Russian military;
- deliver components for the production of attack drones.
In addition to the Chinese firms, sanctions may target five companies from the UAE, three from Turkey, and one from Azerbaijan. According to the document, all of them facilitate Russian shipping and the sale of energy resources. The list may also include subsidiaries of Lukoil and dozens of individuals and entities.
The decision is scheduled to be adopted on June 15 at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Luxembourg—as part of a “mini-package.” At the same time, a larger 21st sanctions package is being prepared, which will cover broader sectoral measures and is expected this summer.
Any EU sanctions require the unanimous support of all 27 member states.
Among the key proposals is a freeze on the price cap for Russian oil, which would otherwise automatically rise in July. The Nordic-Baltic group of countries is also pushing for comprehensive sanctions against Lukoil, Gazprom, Novatek, and Rosneft, as well as the termination of all contracts with the Russian nuclear industry.
This is reported by Politico.
As a reminder, the European Union is considering adding about 20 additional tankers from Russia’s shadow fleet to the upcoming 21st package of restrictive measures to reduce Moscow’s oil revenues. The new sanctions are also planned to be extended to vessels transporting liquefied natural gas to prevent the Kremlin from creating a similar shadow fleet for LNG.
Ukraine has introduced a new package of sanctions against Russian commanders who directed missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, as well as against vessels providing military logistics for Russia.
Ukraine has rejected the idea of “associated” EU membership without voting rights, which had been discussed in European political circles. Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that such a format is unfair and does not correspond to Ukraine’s role in European security.
The European Union has moved to the practical stage of preparing Montenegro’s accession treaty. The country continues on its path toward EU integration and has declared its intention to become a member by 2028.
Ukraine hopes that the European Union will open all six negotiation chapters on the country’s accession this year and anticipates the possibility of closing at least one of them by the end of the year.
Ukraine may temporarily forgo some of the benefits of EU membership to accelerate the accession process. Taras Kachka noted that such a step would help the country integrate into the EU more quickly.
