Politico learned about EU plans to ban imports of steel products from Russia

In the new package of sanctions against Russia, the European Union intends to focus mainly on export-import restrictions, the Politico newspaper learned. The list can include a wide range of goods - from everyday items to technical means that are used in the military sector.

In particular, the European Union, within the framework of the planned eighth package of sanctions, intends to ban the import of certain types of steel products from Russia, according to the draft, which the European Commission presented to the EU ambassadors on Wednesday. The newspaper did not specify which species it was talking about.

Earlier, nine major European steel companies and traders turned to the European Commission and asked not to ban the import of steel semi-finished products from Russia, which is one of the largest suppliers. The letter, in particular, mentioned slab, bloom and square billets. The authors argued that so far there are no alternatives to these supplies. Poland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia lobbied for the idea of ​​banning Russian steel imports, Bloomberg wrote on September 23.

At the same time, in the eighth package of sanctions, the EU plans to leave the possibility of importing diamonds from Russia, but intends to ban the import of "certain elements
used in the jewelry industry", such as stones and precious metals, writes Politico. In addition, the European Commission proposes to impose sanctions against Alrosa, the largest diamond miner.

Finally, a ban is proposed on the import into the EU of products that bring Russia "significant income": cosmetics, makeup products, shaving products, deodorants, soap, toilet paper.

As part of the export restrictions, the EU intends to ban the shipment of semiconductor and chip components, as well as aircraft, to Russia. It is also planned to limit the provision of engineering, architectural, legal and IT consulting services to individuals or companies in Russia, as well as to the Russian government.

Personal sanctions are also planned, for example, against philosopher Alexander Dugin and singer Nikolai Rastorguev, as well as the main owner of the Kalashnikov concern, Alan Lushnikov, the publication claims.

The new restrictions will be a response to the holding of referendums on joining the DPR, LPR and controlled territories of the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions into Russia. They ended on September 27, in the evening of the same day the results were announced - in almost all regions, more than 90% of the plebiscite participants voted "for".

The EU has stated that it does not recognize the results of the referendums.