RT reported that on December 16, the European Council approved the 15th package of sanctions against Russia, focusing on efforts to weaken Moscow's military-industrial capabilities and targeting the country's export revenue.
The European Council said in a statement that the measures target Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers.
For the first time, “full” sanctions have also been imposed on “multiple Chinese actors” that the EU accuses of supplying drone parts to Russia.
The council said the “significant package of sanctions” adopted on December 16 included 54 individuals and 30 entities “responsible for actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”.
The EU has mainly targeted Russian defense companies and shipping companies that transport crude oil and petroleum products by sea. A Russian chemical plant and a Russian civil airline, “a key provider of logistical support” to the Russian military, have also been sanctioned.
The European Council announced that travel bans, asset freezes and economic sanctions have been imposed on "several Chinese actors supplying drone components and microelectronic components" to Russia.
Some of the targeted entities are based in third countries such as China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates. The EU said it “remains ready” to consider “further sanctions”.
The European Union has adopted a series of measures aimed at reducing Russia's export revenue, weakening its military capabilities and showing support for Kiev since the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022.
The previous sanctions package was approved in June. The EU requires unanimous approval of the new sanctions.
Moscow has long criticized measures targeting its economy and trade, while many experts in both Russia and the West argue that unilateral sanctions do more harm to the countries that impose them than to Russia itself.
