The EU allowed the imposition of sanctions against companies from China due to Russian assistance

The European Union is considering the possibility of introducing sanctions against about 20 Asian companies that are involved in the sale of sanctioned goods to Russia, Bloomberg writes , citing a draft proposal.

We are talking about companies from China, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kazakhstan, Turkey and Serbia, mainly operating in the technology and electronics industries. They are accused of “promoting the military-technological improvement of Russia or the development of the Russian defense and security sector.”

These companies will be prohibited from buying goods from European companies. Bloomberg notes that if the proposal is approved, these will be the first restrictions by the EU against Chinese firms (there are three on the list) since the start of the conflict in Ukraine . Previously, the union put forward ideas about restrictions against companies from China, but they met resistance from member countries or were rejected after receiving guarantees from Beijing.

By February 24, that is, two years after the start of the military operation in Ukraine, the EU plans to agree on the 13th package of sanctions against Russia. According to Bloomberg, in the new package the EU will focus on expanding sanctions lists, additional trade restrictions, and combating circumvention of restrictive measures through third countries. DPA and Polskie Radio reported that 200–250 individuals and companies from Russia could be subject to restrictions. “No big names” will be on the list, Reuters wrote . The agency reported that the EC will also not include new import bans  , contrary to calls from some countries regarding Russian aluminum and liquefied natural gas. Another measure under discussion is to limit travel by Russian diplomats within the Schengen zone, Politico reported, noting that it would be difficult to implement.

Russia considers the restrictions illegal. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted after the introduction of the previous EU sanctions package that the association “is probably already exhausting the resource of those areas where sanctions can be imposed.” President Vladimir Putin pointed out that in some areas where Russia has “unique competencies,” the introduction of sanctions is “useless and pointless,” and the West understands this.