The European Union has adopted a 15th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including tougher measures against Chinese entities and more vessels from Moscow's so-called shadow fleet, the EU Commission said in a statement on Monday,
Reuters reports.
The new sanctions package adds 52 vessels from the shadow fleet that try to circumvent Western restrictions to move oil, arms and grains. It brings the total listed to 79.
The EU began adding ships earlier this year in response to an increase in the number of vessels transporting cargoes that are not regulated or insured by conventional Western providers. The listing included vessels that delivered North Korean ammunition to Russia.
The new restrictions add 84 new individuals and entities, including seven Chinese persons and entities.
"Namely one individual and two entities facilitating the circumvention of EU sanctions, and four entities supplying sensitive drone components and microelectronic components to the Russian military," the statement said, referring to the Chinese listings.
The Chinese additions will be the first fully-fledged sanctions on the country that include a travel ban and asset freeze.
"The step to fully-fledged sanctions sends an important signal to the Chinese. We take this very seriously," an EU diplomat said.
EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan and Ukrainian officials have pointed to China as the main route for sales of foreign technology to Russia.
Diplomats said the previous Chinese listings in Russian sanctions packages only involved export controls, rather than a overarching sanction.
