Policy|The Russian attack
EU foreign ministers approved a comprehensive package of sanctions. Also targeted are Putin and Lavrov, who still have the opportunity to travel abroad.
Brussels
EU At their meeting on Friday, the foreign ministers approved extensive sanctions against Russia, on which EU leaders reached a political agreement the day before.
The war in Ukraine is heading in the direction that the next package of sanctions is already being prepared.
Personal sanctions will be expanded, in addition to which sanctions will be targeted at banks, among others. There will be restrictions on technology exports to Russia.
Not all details are still public, but it is known that the President is also subject to personal sanctions Vladimir Putin and the Secretary of State Sergei Lavrov for their assets abroad.
Read more: The EU imposes sanctions on President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov
As early as Monday, Putin was not put on the sanctions list, although there were other people on the list who were deciding to recognize the occupied territories of eastern Ukraine.
“There has been an argument that there may be situations where they have to get to travel. This has now been taken into account in the sanctions, as they apply to property but do not impose travel restrictions to allow a diplomatic line with them, ”the Foreign Minister who attended the meeting attended. Pekka Haavisto (green) says.
Haavisto said the EU would change the criteria for sanctions so that sanctions could also be imposed on the oligarchs, ie Russia’s financial circles. According to Haavisto, their more effective listing in a possible future round of sanctions emerged.
Haavisto said ministers said action could be further increased “if necessary”. As Belarus allows Russia to use its territory to attack, economic and personal sanctions will also be prepared against it.
There was a discussion about the payment system Swift, Haavisto says. Russia’s detachment from it was supported, but some countries said it could affect ordinary citizens who send money to their families in Russia, while oligarchs and businesses might be able to circumvent restrictions.
“The Swift sanction is suitable for Finland,” Haavisto said.
Read more: US separates Russia’s largest banks from Western financial markets – impact could be tougher than EU-rejected Swift ban
Haavisto He said earlier in the day that he was concerned about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine as the Russian invasion continued.
“Ukraine’s airspace is closed, some ports are closed, and it makes it harder for humanitarian aid to reach. We already have news from hospitals that supplies are running low and there are difficulties in energy production. It can affect the health services of ordinary people. ”
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