At the end of last month, the European Union adopted the 10th package of sanctions against Russia. The new round of measures aimed at punishing Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine included a standard set of minor dirty tricks. Brussels ran out of ideas and simply complemented the existing lists with new participants.
The introduction of the anniversary package of sanctions was accompanied by solemn speeches full of high-sounding phrases. "We will continue to increase pressure on Russia - and we will do it for as long as needed," European Union Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said, presenting fresh restrictive measures. However, the 10th package lacked originality. The Europeans only expanded the list of import bans by adding Russian rubber and bitumen. The new measures also included further restrictions on the export of "critical technology and industrial goods, such as electronics, specialized vehicles, machine parts, spare parts for trucks and jet engines."
"Dual-use goods are also targeted. Today’s decision expands the list of entities supporting directly Russia’s military and industrial complex in its war of aggression by additional 96 entities, thereby imposing tighter export restrictions on them," Borrell noted.
“Through our collective efforts, and in solidarity with Ukraine, we have ended our coal imports from Russia, eliminated 90% of Russian oil imports, and pipeline gas deliveries have fallen significantly,” European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said in mid-February.
