Von der Leyen called Russian diamonds the main point of new sanctions

Ursula von der Leyen

One of the main points of the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia will be a ban on the import of Russian diamonds to Europe. This was stated by the Head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference following the EU summit in Brussels, broadcast by France24 TV channel.

“We are preparing the 12th package of sanctions [against Russia]. <...> In particular, we are looking for a way to deprive Russia of the remaining income from diamond exports to Europe,” she said.

The EU is preparing new restrictions together with partners from the G7 (G7, Great Britain, Germany , Italy , Canada , France , Japan and the USA ), the head of the European Commission clarified . She added that the new package will be aimed at limiting the ability to circumvent anti-Russian sanctions.

Von der Leyen recalled that the EU froze Russian assets with a total value of €211 billion after the start of the special operation. “We will soon present proposals for using the proceeds from [reinvesting] these funds to assist Ukraine and support its recovery. These funds will be sent to the budget of the European Union, then from there they will be distributed to the needs of Ukraine,” she said.

After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, EU countries introduced 11 packages of sanctions against Moscow. They affected organizations that supply advanced technologies, electronics and equipment for the army or are involved in nuclear energy and the extraction of Arctic resources, as well as defense enterprises, businessmen and members of their families.

Bloomberg wrote on October 21 that in the coming days Brussels will begin consultations on a new, 12th package of restrictive measures. IT could include a ban on the import of Russian diamonds, further measures against circumvention of sanctions and an expansion of the list of companies from third countries that help evade restrictive measures already introduced, sources told the agency.

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Russian authorities consider Western sanctions illegitimate. The Kremlin has repeatedly emphasized that the Russian economy has adapted to the restrictions.