BRUSSELS, February 23. /TASS/. The European Union approved the 13th package of sanctions against Russia, introducing restrictive measures against 106 individuals and 88 legal entities, including countries such as China, India, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Turkey, according to the EU Council.
"The Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 106 individuals and 88 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the statement said.
Thus, as the EU Council emphasized that the EU blacklist for Russia includes more than 2,000 individuals and companies. All individuals are prohibited from entering the territory of the EU countries, and their assets, if discovered in the EU, will be frozen.
The EU Council's decision with the names of individuals and legal entities is expected to be published in the Official Journal of the EU shortly, after which it will take effect.
The new sanctions against Russia were designed to coincide with the second anniversary of the launch of its special military campaign in Ukraine.
Russian and foreign companies
The European Union as part of the 13th package of sanctions against Russia introduced restrictive measures against 27 companies from Russia and seven other countries (India, China, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Turkey) that allegedly support the Russian defense industry.
"The Council added 27 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine. They will be subject to tighter export restrictions concerning dual use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defense and security sector. Some of these entities are located in third countries (India, Sri Lanka, China, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Turkey) and have been involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions, others are Russian entities involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components for Russia’s military and industrial complex," the EU Council said on its official website.
Sanctions against North Korean Defense Minister
The European Union also introduced personal restrictions against the North Korean Minister of Defense Kang Sun-nam. The sanctions imposed for the alleged supply of ballistic missiles and other weapons to the Russian side include a visa ban and an asset freeze for minister.
Moscow has previously repeatedly and categorically rejected accusations from Western countries of illegal military-technical cooperation with Pyongyang.
UAV parts and electrical transformers
The European Union also introduced export restrictions on the supply of parts for drones and electrical transformers to the Russian Federation as part of the 13th package of sanctions against Russia.
"Today's decision expands the list of restricted items that could contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defense and security sector by adding components for the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Lastly, the EU introduced further restrictions on exports of goods which contribute in particular to the enhancement of Russian industrial capabilities, such as electrical transformers," the statement said.