The ninth package of EU sanctions, which has been dragging on due to internal disagreements, has finally been adopted. This happened on the evening of December 16, 2022. The European Union has adopted additional sanctions against Russia for its unprovoked and brutal aggression against Ukraine. The objectives of the sanctions are to further limit the ability of the Russian Federation to continue the war, reduce the impact of Russian propaganda on Europeans and punish specific individuals responsible for Russian aggression and its continuation.
The Netherlands played an important role in shaping the package of sanctions. In particular, at the initiative of the Netherlands, the sanctions lists included persons responsible for the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia and their adoption by Russian citizens.
The ninth package of EU anti-Russian sanctions has expanded the list of individuals and legal entities subject to restrictions. In addition, a number of new economic bans have been introduced that should reduce Russia's ability to produce weapons and continue the war.
The list of sanctions can be divided into the following areas:
Restriction of export to the Russian Federation
The list of goods and technologies prohibited for transfer to the Russian Federation has been expanded. We are talking about dual-use goods and modern technologies that can potentially be used for the production and restoration of weapons and military operations. In particular, the sale of unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft engines in the Russian Federation is prohibited. The sanctions list includes 168 individuals and organizations involved in the Russian military-industrial complex.
Sanctions against the financial system of the Russian Federation
The assets of two Russian banks located in the EU are frozen, that is, they cannot be used until further notice. The All-Russian Regional Development Bank has been added to the list of banks subject to sanctions.
Countering Russian disinformation
TV channels deprived of their licenses for broadcasting in the EU: NTV and NTV-Mir, Russia-1, REN TV and Channel One. The reason for the restrictions is the systematic work of these channels aimed at justifying Russian aggression against Ukraine and destabilizing the socio-political situation within the EU.
Prohibition to provide services to Russian organizations
It is prohibited to provide consulting services in the field of advertising and marketing research, public opinion polls, product testing and technical inspection of various equipment.
Restrictions on investments in the Russian energy and raw materials sector of the economy
New investments in the energy sector of Russia and the mining complex of the Russian Federation are prohibited. Left a narrow opportunity to invest in the extraction of raw materials critical to the global economy.
The EU is extending the ban on new investment in the Russian energy sector to include a ban on investment in the Russian mining sector (with the exception of mining activities related to certain critical raw materials).
Are sanctions against Russia effective?
Russian propaganda constantly uses the narrative about the ineffectiveness of sanctions, pedaling the theme that sanctions do not harm Russia, but harm the collective West and its inhabitants. Actually this is a lie. The sanctions have not yet forced the Russian Federation to abandon its aggressive plans and have not completely destroyed the Russian economy, but the volume of the Russian economy is shrinking. The cessation of deliveries of high-tech products and technologies leads to the degradation of the military-industrial complex of Russia, reducing its ability to produce and repair modern weapons.
As for the impact of sanctions on Western countries and the EU in particular, this impact is not as high as Russian propagandists say. Before the outbreak of war against Ukraine, Russia was an important supplier of raw materials to European markets. However, the EU has managed to refocus on other resource providers. Energy collapse, contrary to the narratives of Russian propaganda, does not threaten Europe.
As for the Russian market for European goods, the damage to the EU economy is insignificant. Most of this market for European goods was closed during the introduction of the so-called anti-sanctions by Russia. Jamon and other quality products are not on Russian shelves, not because Europe has imposed a ban on their sale, but by decision of the Russian authorities.
During the introduction of the ninth package of sanctions against Russia, the political leadership of the EU countries confirmed their support for Ukraine and their desire to build a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for all European countries.
You can learn more about the sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus imposed by the Netherlands and the EU. on the government website.
Publication Date: 19.12.2022
