Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union announced on Wednesday the expansion of a list of sanctions imposed in connection with the Russian war against Ukraine by introducing additional restrictive measures against one person and one entity responsible for actions that undermine or threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.
The new listings target PJSC Alrosa and its CEO Pavel Alekseevich Marinichev. PJSC Alrosa is the largest diamond mining company in the world, owned by the Russian state and representing more than 90% of total Russian diamond production. The company forms an important part of the economic sector that provides significant revenues to the government of Russia. Russian Federation.
These designations complement the Russian diamond import ban included as part of the 12th package of economic and individual sanctions adopted on December 18, 2023 in light of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
The ban on Russian diamonds is part of the G7's efforts to establish an internationally coordinated ban on diamonds aimed at depriving Russia of this important revenue source.
In total, the EU's restrictive measures in relation to actions that undermine or threaten Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence now apply to approximately 1,950 individuals and entities. The designated individuals are subject to a freeze on their assets, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing funds to them. In addition, natural persons are subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through the territory of the European Union.
The relevant legal proceedings, including the names of the individuals and entities included in the list, have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union
In its conclusions of 14 and 15 December 2023, the European Council reaffirmed its firm condemnation of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a clear violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed the European Union's firm support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its territory. Its internationally recognized borders and its inherent right to self-defense against Russian aggression.
The European Council affirmed the European Union's firm commitment to continue supporting Ukraine and its people for as long as possible, and welcomed the adoption of the twelfth package of sanctions.