EU’s 16th sanctions package bans imports of aluminium from Russia and cracks down on shadow fleet
The 16th sanctions package adopted by the European Union on 24 February bans imports of primary aluminium and extends export prohibitions. The package also imposes new sanctions on shadow vessels and those who support the operations of the shadow fleet.
The EU’s 16th sanctions package responds to Russia’s actions in its war of aggression against Ukraine.
The first part of the package concerns the listing of individuals and entities subject to sanctions. The individuals proposed to be added to the list include puppet leaders installed in Russian-occupied Ukrainian regions, representatives of the Russian armed forces, politicians, Russians engaged in disinformation and information manipulation, and influential business leaders who support or benefit from the Russian Government. The companies proposed to the list support the Russian armed forces.
As a new measure, a ban is introduced on transactions with certain Russian ports and airports. In addition, sanctions are extended to new vessels that are part of the Russian shadow fleet.
The EU sanctions now target 153 vessels. The package also adds a new criterion for listing individuals, which will make it possible to add to the sanctions list those who support the operations of the shadow fleet.
Second, the package includes further restrictive measures on trade with Russia, adding new import bans on Russian products and prohibiting business activities. The EU bans imports of primary aluminium from Russia. Over a 12-month transition period, aluminium imports from Russia would be allowed up to the quota specified in the regulation.
Thirdly, items that could promote Russia’s military and technological development or the development of the defence and security sector will be added to the export bans. Items that promote Russia’s war industry and industrial development will also be added to the bans. The additions include video game controllers, certain ores and concentrates, chromium, pyrotechnic articles and springs.
To tackle the circumvention of sanctions, corresponding prohibitions on foreign trade and the financial sector are added to the sanctions regimes targeting specific regions.
More detailed descriptions of the restrictive measures adopted in the 16th package of sanctions can be found in the Annex (PDF).
Sanctions regime targeting individuals and entities
Sanctions regime targeting sectors
Sanctions regime targeting Crimea and Sevastopol
Sanctions regime targeting Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts
Inquiries:
Pia Sarivaara, Sanctions Coordinator, Unit for Sanctions, tel. +358 295 350 660
The email addresses of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs are in the format [email protected]