EU agrees on 12th sanctions package against Russia, focusing on diamond ban
The European Union continues to put the siege on Putin's Russia and this Monday reached a political agreement for the twelfth package of sanctions against Moscow, focused this time on the prohibition of importing, purchasing or transferring diamonds from Russia and also on reinforcing the cooperation with third countries precisely so that restrictive measures cannot be avoided.
“We present a strong set of new schedules and economic measures that will further weaken Russia's war machine. Our message is clear, as I already stated when I chaired the informal Foreign Affairs Council in Kiev: we remain firm in our commitment to Ukraine and will continue to support its fight for freedom and sovereignty,” the EU High Representative summarized after learning of the pact. Josep Borrell, along the same lines as the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen: “We continue to support Ukraine, in good times and bad.”
A direct ban applies to natural and non-industrial synthetic diamonds, as well as diamond jewelry, starting January 1, 2024. In addition, the indirect ban on the import of processed (i.e. cut and polished) Russian diamonds into third countries, including jewelry incorporating diamonds originating in Russia, will be phased in from 1 March 2024 and will end on 1 September 2024. 2024. This progressive introduction of indirect import bans is justified by the need to deploy a mechanism that allows effective enforcement measures and minimizes disruptions to the EU market, they explain from Brussels.
The battery that has now been agreed requires “that EU exporters contractually prohibit the re-export to Russia and the re-export for use in Russia of particularly sensitive goods and technology, when they sell, supply, transfer or export to a third country, with exception of partner countries”. The clause covers prohibited items used in Russian military systems found on the battlefield in Ukraine or critical to the development, production or use of those Russian military systems, as well as aviation items and weapons.
This new approach, community sources explained to 20minutos a few weeks ago, “is much more technical, already focused on making the sanctions surgical, in key sectors” for the Russian economy.. On the other hand, the Council has added 29 new entities to the list of those that directly support Putin's Army. They will be subject to stricter restrictions on the export of dual-use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology that can contribute to the technological improvement of the Russian defense and security sector.. Some of these entities belong to third countries involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions, or are Russian entities involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components for the Russian military and industrial complex.
In addition, the decision expands the list of restricted items that could contribute to the technological improvement of Russia's defense and security sector to include: chemicals, lithium batteries, thermostats, direct current motors and servomotors for non-aircraft vehicles. manned vehicles (UAV), machine tools and machinery parts.