EU approves new sanctions on Russia, including Chinese entities

The new sanctions package adds 52 ships from the fleet trying to avoid Western restrictions to transport oil, weapons and wheat. This brings the total number of ships listed at 79.

The EU began to add to the list these ships earlier this year in response to an increase in the number of ships carrying cargo, which are not provided by ordinary Western bidders. The list included ships that delivered Korean-veried ammunition to Russia.

The new restrictions add 84 new individuals and entities, including seven Chinese individuals and entities, as well as Russian entities to Serbia.

“An individual and two entities that facilitate the avoidance of EU sanctions, and four entities that supply sensitive components for fear and micro-electric components to the Russian Army”, the statement states, in which it refers to Chinese entities.

This will be the first time Chinese entities face such sanctions for preventing travel and freezing assets.

The “step towards real sanctions sends an important signal to the Chinese. We take this very seriously”, an EU diplomat said.

EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan, and Ukrainian officials have blamed China for selling foreign technology to Russia.

Diplomats said earlier Chinese lists in the Russian sanctions package included only control of exports, rather than general sanctions.

The list now includes senior leaders in Russia's energy sector, two senior North Korean officials, as well as 20 Russian companies and entities in India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Commission is preparing a 16th package of sanctions for January, which could include broader measures such as on liquid Russian natural gas and restrictions on exports to the EU companies' third-seat subsidiarys, sources told Reuters.