MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Russia will circumvent the European Union's sanctions on its diamonds, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"As far as Russian diamonds are concerned, it was projected, [Russia] prepared for that. I doubt that there are no options to circumvent those sanctions. They exist and they will be implemented," he told reporters.

"Absolutely," he said when asked whether Moscow has options to circumvent sanctions on diamonds and they will be implemented. "In any case it will be done so that [Russia’s - TASS] interests are protected and ensured," the spokesman added.

Meanwhile, Peskov sees no major threat from freezing of Russian defense enterprises’ assets, which is part of the 12th package of EU sanctions as well. "Freezing of assets for defense entities is no major threat as there aren’t any assets there that may be frozen by the EU, of course," he said.

"The most remarkable thing in the 12th package [of EU sanctions against Russia] is the introduction of sanctions against the Russian Society Znanie [Knowledge] in my viewpoint," Peskov noted, adding that "this is the most eloquent testimony of the sanctions frenzy."

"Overall, the 12th package demonstrates that the resource of areas where sanctions may be imposed is being depleted," he concluded.

On December 18, 2023, the European Union approved the 12th package of sanctions against Russia over the military operation in Ukraine. The new restrictions were introduced against 61 people and 86 companies and organizations. In particular, supplies of gem diamonds from Russia to the EU were banned.