NEW YORK, November 15. /TASS/. The European Union (EU) intends to put the ban on Russian diamonds from January 1 on the 12th package of sanctions against Moscow, Bloomberg reported citing documents.
The European Union will also add a phasing in of an indirect import ban on Russian diamonds processed in third countries, the agency said. EU member states are set to discuss the proposals this week and they could change before they’re approved.
The EU also wants to ban exports of machine tools and machinery parts to Russia as part of the new package of sanctions, and it suggests prohibiting exports of chemicals, lithium batteries, temperature controllers, actuating motors and motors for unmanned aerial vehicles, Bloomberg said. Moreover, imports of liquid propane, pig iron grades, copper and aluminum wire, foil, tubes and pipes will be prohibited.
It is also planned to impose measures to better enforce the price cap on Russian oil, the agency noted. In particular, it is suggested that a requirement be introduced for attestations to include itemized costs such as insurance as freight in order to get around attempts to falsify attestations or mask the actual cost of Russian crude. The EU also intends to enhance information sharing to identify vessels that are carrying out deceptive practices such as ship-to-ship transfers to conceal the origin or destination of the product, as well as introduce a notification system that requires authorization to sell or export tankers and second-hand carries as a way to curtail Russia’s ability to develop a so-called shadow fleet of vessels it uses to transport oil outside the cap. Some sales to entities and people in Russia will also be banned.
The EU is also proposing to ban Russians from holding posts in European companies that provide crypto-asset wallets, accounts and custody services.
If approved, the proposals would also see more than 30 companies added to a list of entities with which trade is restricted, including firms in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Singapore and several Russian machine-building companies, Bloomberg said.