The draft 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia includes a ban on diamond imports starting January 1, 2024, Bloomberg reported, citing documents.
Brussels may also ban exports to Russia of "machine tools and parts that can be used for weapons."
The possibility of imposing restrictions on such goods as lithium batteries, thermostats, some chemicals, and engines for drones is being considered.
The European Commission also proposes to introduce new import and export bans, as well as measures aimed at strengthening the oil price ceiling and counteracting evasion of EU sanctions.
According to Reuters, the 12th package of EU sanctions will add 47 individuals and 72 legal entities to the lists. According to the agency, they will be banned from entering Europe and their assets in the region will be frozen. These are representatives of the military, defense and IT sectors of the Russian Federation, as well as "other important economic operators."
Separate mention is made of the need to punish those involved in the pseudo-elections in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, those responsible for the forced "re-education" of Ukrainian children, and those involved in the spread of disinformation and propaganda by Russia.
A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed that "the joint proposals of the Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs within the framework of the proposed 12th package of sanctions have been adopted by the European Commission."
Background. Earlier it became known that the European Commission has prepared the 12th package of sanctions against Russia, which will include a ban on diamond imports.