The European Commission has approved a joint proposal for the seventh package of sanctions against Russia, the new restrictions include a ban on the import of Russian gold. This is stated in the message of the European Commission.
The European Commission says that the proposal aims to support and tighten the effectiveness of the previous six packages of EU sanctions against Russia.
The new package clarifies a number of provisions to strengthen legal certainty and enforcement by member states. It also aligns EU sanctions with those of allies and partners, particularly in the G7.
"Russia's brutal war against Ukraine does not stop. That is why we propose today to strengthen our sanctions against the Kremlin, to strengthen their implementation and to extend them until January 2023. Moscow must continue to pay a high price for its aggression," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
"We continue to attack those close to Putin and the Kremlin. Today's package reflects our coordinated approach with international partners, including the G7. In addition to these measures, I will also submit proposals to the Council to list other individuals and entities with freezing their assets and restricting their ability to travel," said Josep Borrell, head of European diplomacy.
The seventh sanctions package includes a ban on imports of Russian gold, as well as tightens controls on exports of dual-use and advanced technology. It would tighten the consistency of EU sanctions with those of G7 partners.
The proposal notes that EU sanctions are in no way aimed at trade in agricultural products between third countries and Russia.
In addition, the European Commission has proposed extending the current EU sanctions by six months until the next review at the end of January 2023.
Proposals on the seventh sanctions package are now expected to be considered by the EU Council.
