EU targets Chinese firms aiding Russia with drone sanctions
The European Commission proposed on Wednesday to add Chinese citizens and companies to the European Union's sanctions list for allegedly assisting Russia in the production of drones used in attacks against Ukraine. If EU countries agree unanimously, it will be the first time EU sanctions target China.
Sanctions on China will be part of the 15th sanctions package, which the European Commission presented to member countries on Wednesday. According to a diplomatic source informed by PAP, several Chinese entities that helped Russian enterprises in building strike drones are to be included on the EU's "blacklist." Sanctions are also set to be imposed on a Chinese citizen who controls a company that violated EU restrictions.
Beijing may feel the impact of EU sanctions
Individuals added to the EU sanctions list will be banned from entering the EU, and their assets within EU territory will be frozen. Entities, in turn, are prohibited from conducting business within the EU.
A Hong Kong-based company, which provided Russian military factories with microelectronic components under EU sanctions, is also set to be added to the sanctions list for supporting Russia in the war with Ukraine.
The sanctions will also cover North Korean defence officials who influenced the country's decision to send troops to assist Russia.
The European Commission, which prepared the proposal for the 15th sanctions package, focused this time on expanding the "blacklist." The new restrictions will not be of an economic nature, meaning they will not include the import of Russian and Belarusian agricultural fertilizers as proposed by Poland and the Baltic states.
According to Polskie Radio, the new sanctions are also set to cover over 40 ships transporting Russian oil at prices higher than those established under the sanctions. This is a temporary solution to the so-called shadow fleet problem. Next year, the EU is expected to attempt to implement environmental verification of these units, which frequently navigate the Baltic Sea and pose an ecological threat due to their poor condition.
The package also includes entities from the Russian military industry. Sanctions are adopted unanimously by member countries.
