Exclusive: EU prepares largest-ever sanctions package against Russia’s war machine

The European Union is preparing the largest-ever sanctions package against Russia. The proposal of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU’s diplomatic arm, foresees adding 827 entities and 744 individuals — nearly 1,600 names — to the bloc’s sanctions list, making it the largest listing package to date, according to a document obtained by the daily “The Kyiv Independent.”

Unlike previous packages that hit finance, fossil fuels or well-known figures, the new listings specifically target companies and executives involved in Russia’s defense-industrial complex: shipyards, aviation companies, electronics manufacturers, armored-vehicle repair plants and aerospace companies.

The package aims to close gaps in the EU sanctions regime by targeting entities already sanctioned by the United States or other partners. According to the EU document, the reason for their inclusion is that the Russian government has recently listed these entities as part of its military-industrial complex, which entitles them to federal subsidies.

The proposed listings are expected to be approved by EU ambassadors at a meeting on October 7, after which the bloc’s foreign ministers will vote formally on October 12.

After approval, the EU aims to move toward a more agile approach: smaller sanctions lists approved continuously, rather than being packaged into single packages.

For context, the 21st sanctions package was approved in July, targeting drone manufacturers, ship service crews, oil refineries and crypto platforms. The Kyiv Independent chose not to name any of the listings, so as not to help Russia evade the sanctions.

Source: The Kyiv Independent