EU members approved a 13th package of Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, banning nearly 200 entities and individuals accused of helping Moscow procure weapons or of involvement in kidnapping Ukrainian children, APA reports citing Reuters.
EU Ambassadors just agreed in principle on a 13th package of sanctions in the framework of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, Belgium, which holds the rotating EU presidency, said on social media platform X, calling it one of the broadest approved by the EU.
The new package will see 193 entities and individuals added to the list of those banned from traveling to the EU or doing business there, but no fresh measures against specific economic sectors, EU diplomatic sources said.
The focus of the listings is split between entities and individuals connected to Russia’s military industrial complex and those involved in trafficking and kidnapping Ukrainian children. One North Korean and one Belarusian firm were also added.
The ICC indicted officials, including President Vladimir Putin, for abducting Ukrainian children, which it called a war crime. Moscow denies any crime and cites protection as the reason for taking in children from the war zone. Ukraine alleges Russia has removed more than 4,000 children.
The package will be formally approved in time for the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, We must keep degrading Putin’s war machine and emphasized the cutting of Russia’s access to drones.
Additionally, the new measures target the procurement network supporting Russia’s military, focusing on the supply chain for drones. Twenty-seven companies were added to the list, preventing European firms from selling dual-use goods to them. The companies include Russian and Chinese firms.
Ambassadors also renewed the existing sanctions regime for six months, listing around 2,000 individuals and companies.
The move highlights the continued efforts by the EU to address Russia’s actions in Ukraine and protect national security interests in the region.
