European Commission released details of 10th Russia sanctions package – Reuters

The document pays particular attention to expanding the ban on the sale of dual-use products and technologies to Russia, which help boost its military and industrial potential.These European officials include electronic components used in the assembly of unmanned aerial vehicles, guided missiles, helicopters and other vehicles, as well as individual rare earth metals and thermal imaging cameras.In addition, 96 companies associated with the Russian defense industry have fallen under the sanctions, seven of which, according to the European Commission, are located in Iran.The European Commission has decided to revoke the broadcasting licenses of RT Arabic and Sputnik Arabic. At the same time, journalists from these channels will be able to carry out professional activities in the EU.Additional export restrictions are imposed on the following categories of goods: heavy trucks and their spare parts, snowmobiles and other specialized vehicles, loaders, crane trucks, other construction equipment and building materials.Generators, binoculars, radars, compasses and other similar devices were classified as military goods, now banned for sale in the Russian Federation.Electronics, pumps, metalworking machinery and other “critical elements of Russian production potential” also fell under sanctions. The sale of complete plants is also prohibited – in order to avoid possible circumvention of the above restrictions.A separate paragraph highlights a ban on the export of components for the aeronautical industry, in particular turbojet engines.As a preventive measure against circumvention of sanctions, the transit of prohibited goods through the territory of the Russian Federation is also prohibited.Based on 2021 figures, the European Commission estimates the turnover of these categories of goods at 11.4 billion euros. Together with the previous sanctions, due to which the EU budget lost 32.5 billion euros, the restrictions affect almost half (49%) of all exports from EU countries to Russia.Regarding import restrictions, bitumen, asphalt, synthetic rubber and carbon black cannot be imported from Russia to the EU.Added to the sanctions list and three Russian banks. Their assets in the EU will be frozen. Obligations are also introduced to report on the frozen assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, as stated, “for their possible use after the defeat of Russia”.Among other things, Russians are prohibited from participating in the governing bodies of European critical infrastructure companies and from reserving volumes in gas storage facilities in the EU (except LNG).The document notes that sanctions are being introduced in close coordination with partners from Norway, New Zealand, Australia and Canada.