EU Considers Ban on Export of Machinery, Lithium Batteries, and Drone Engines to Russia
The European Union is proposing, as part of its 12th sanctions package against Russia, to prohibit the export of machinery, lithium batteries, and drone engines used by the aggressor country in the production of weapons. This information is reported by Bloomberg, citing internal EU documents.
If the proposal is accepted, over 30 companies, including firms in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Singapore, and several Russian engineering companies, will be added to the list of entities with restricted trade.
Additionally, the EU suggests adding chemicals, thermostats, and servomotors for drones to the list of prohibited goods.
The publication specifies that the new sanctions package includes a ban on the export of Russian diamonds from January 1 and a gradual introduction of an indirect ban on the import of Russian diamonds processed in third countries. This ban is coordinated with the G7.
It is expected that the new sanctions will impact exports and imports from Russia by approximately 5 billion euros.
These proposals are part of the overall EU sanctions package, which includes measures to better enforce restrictions on the prices of Russian oil. It is noted that member countries plan to discuss the proposals this week, and they may undergo changes before approval. According to the publication, the primary goal of the new sanctions is to further limit the ability of the aggressor country to circumvent EU sanctions, fund its military machine, and cut off sources of income for the Russian Federation.
Additionally, the European Union is considering delegating Denmark to inspect and block tankers carrying Russian oil passing through its territorial waters. According to sources familiar with the negotiations in Brussels, Denmark will inspect tankers passing through its waters without Western insurance, in accordance with laws allowing states to inspect ships deemed environmentally hazardous.
According to these sources, a key aspect is to ensure compliance with insurance rules, considering that a significant amount of Russian oil shipments are carried by the so-called "shadow fleet" of old vessels with a higher risk of breakdowns or oil spills, posing a serious environmental threat.
EU representatives assert that the requirement for proper insurance from reputable companies is justified, given that many shipments of Russian oil are made by ships suspected of using forged financial reports or insurance from non-Western companies.