Strasbourg, France, April 5 (AFP/APP):The EU executive on Tuesdayproposed a fresh wave of sanctions against Russia that would include aban on coal imports and blocking Russian ships from entering Europeanports.
The proposal, part of the bloc’s planned fifth wave of sanctionssince the February 24 invasion, needs to be approved unanimously bythe EU’s 27 member states. The European Union and US are seeking to tighten thenoose on Moscow after dozens of bodies were discovered in theUkrainian town of Bucha following the withdrawal of Russian troops. “Russia is waging a cruel, ruthless war, alsoagainst Ukraine’s civilian population. We need to sustain utmostpressure at this critical point,” European Commission President Ursulavon der Leyen said in a video address. The Europeans have been under pressure to hit Moscowin the crucial energy sector and stop Russia’s main source of revenueto pay for its war. Brussels is also proposing a total ban ontransactions of four large banks that represent a quarter of theRussian banking sector, including VTB, the country’s second largestlender. The EU executive additionally wants to expand thelist of Russian products banned in the EU, including vodka. The proposal from the commission will now bepresented to the EU’s member states with hopes they will approve it asearly as Wednesday. So far countries deeply dependent on Russia forenergy — such as Germany, Austria and Italy — have resistedexpanding the measures to gas or oil. Germany on Monday said gas was still off-limits fornow, given its continued importance to the European economy, butinsisted that it could target gas and oil later. Von der Leyen said additional sanctions, includingon oil imports, were being worked on. EU foreign ministers could adopt the latest package,either on the sidelines of NATO and G7 meetings happening Wednesdayand Thursday, or at their regular meeting early next week. Since Russia’s military buildup against Ukrainebegan, sanctions against Moscow have been coordinated with the UnitedStates and other allies. Washington on Monday said more sanctions againstRussia would be announced “this week”.
