EU approves new round of sanctions against Russia

European Union members granted a conditional all-clear to a 13th package of Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia on Wednesday. It includes bans for nearly 200 organizations and individuals accused of helping Moscow acquire weapons or being involved in kidnapping Ukrainian children.

The new package will include 193 entities and individuals on the list of those banned from travelling to the EU or doing business in the 27-country bloc.

It is recognized that the focus of the listings is roughly split between outfits and individuals that are part of Russia’s military industrial complex and those involved in trafficking and kidnapping Ukrainian children.

Belgium, which holds the rotating EU presidency, stated the move on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

It is expected the package will be legally approved on 24 February – the second anniversary of Russia’s initial invasion into Ukraine.

“This package is one of the broadest approved by the EU,” the message added.

It is believed the companies added are mostly Russian and include three mainland Chinese firms and one Hong Kong-based company, the sources said.

The package will be formally approved in time for the second anniversary of the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February.