In Belgium, a ban on the entry of Russian ships into ports came into force

At the same time, Russian ships that transport gas and oil to the EU will not fall under the ban, pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and food products, as well as nuclear fuel and coal

Belgium, following Bulgaria, Romania and Italy, has imposed a ban on the entry of Russian ships into their ports, the Belgian TV channel RTBF reports.

The ban comes into effect on April 17. This is one of the restrictions under the fifth package of EU sanctions adopted on April 8.

According to Belgian Minister of Justice Vincent Van Kiekenborn, this measure applies to about 6,000 Russian ships in the Belgian ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent.

However, there are still exceptions for some Russian ships: vessels that have a permit and who purchase, import or transport gas, oil, as well as pharmaceutical, medical, agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizers, into the EU can call at Belgian ports. .

Access to the Belgian port may also be granted to Russian ships for humanitarian purposes, as well as for the transportation of nuclear fuel and other goods necessary for civilian nuclear purposes, as well as coal until 10 August.

Now 12 Russian vessels are heading to Belgian ports, but three of them will be denied access, RTBF reports.

Bulgaria banned Russian ships from entering its ports Politics

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In addition to Belgium, Russian ships are also prohibited from entering the ports of Bulgaria, Romania and Italy. In Bulgaria, the ban came into effect on April 16. Moreover, it concerns not only ships with the Russian flag, but also those ships that changed the Russian flag or registration to the flag or registration of another state after February 24.

The Romanian authorities have introduced exemptions for those Russian ships that carry natural gas, oil, titanium, aluminum, copper, nickel, palladium, iron ore, nuclear fuel and coal, as well as medicines, food and agricultural products, including wheat and fertilizers, to the EU. .

In addition to the EU, Canada has taken the same decision. Also, the British authorities did not rule out a ban on accepting ships under the Russian flag.

According to First Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Belousov, Western countries are trying to isolate Russia through four rings of blockade: financial, trade, transport and humanitarian, but this is impossible. “It is impossible to isolate Russia, the world's sixth largest economy, from the global economic system. And the events of the last month and a half clearly testify to this,” the First Deputy Prime Minister said.

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