The European Union meeting of foreign ministers today announced a new package of EU sanctions targeting Russian defense and shipping companies responsible for transporting oil and oil products by sea. In addition, two top North Korean defense officials were sanctioned, and some others. EU High Representative of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, hosting her first such meeting, bragged to the media: “This package of sanctions is part of our response to weaken Russia’s war machine and those who are enabling this war, also including Chinese companies.
The new package agreed on a significant number of designated entities and persons—84 on the list, including 54 individuals and 30 organizations. The list includes the Minister of Defense, and heads of major energy companies. The sanctions now cover 52 vessels and 32 entities that support the Russian military-industrial complex and are involved in the supply of dual-use goods and technologies.
North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol was put under sanctions for the charge of sending North Korean troops to Russia. Kim Yong Bok, Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff, was targeted for being in Russia, supervising North Korean troops.
Numbers of others are on the new EU sanctions list in China, India, Iran, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates. The charges are that they have aided Russia to evade EU sanctions or trade restrictions, covering the movement of items and components for weapons.
The proposed sanctions included Patriarch Kirill and UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, but it was vetoed by Hungary.
