The Russian Embassy in France has had its fuel payment cards blocked
Russian diplomats in Paris have had their bank cards blocked, which they had been using to pay for fuel.
This was reported by Russian Ambassador to France Alexei Meshkov, citing Russian media.
According to him, the restriction was allegedly imposed at the initiative of a Belgian bank, after which an attempt to make a payment through a French financial institution also proved unsuccessful. The diplomat noted that this was the first time such a situation had occurred since 2022.
Meshkov called the blocking of cards a significant problem, especially given the high fuel prices in Europe. He also stated that difficulties with managing the embassy’s accounts are ongoing. In 2025, France had already blocked the accounts of the “Russian House” in Paris, later allowing only certain essential payments.
Ukrainehas imposed new sanctions against Russia.
The European Union may impose sanctions against individuals and companies suspected of facilitating the transport of grain, exported from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, to the port of Haifa (Israel).
As a reminder, the European Union has expanded sanctions against Belarus as part of a new, 20th package of restrictions targeting Russia and its allies. The decision affects Belarus’s defense sector, as well as entities that, according to the EU, support Russia’s war against Ukraine. For the first time, a Chinese organization linked to Belarusian military production has also been added to the list.
