Barroso, Rompuy confirm urgent sanctions against Russia

Saturday, September 6, 2014 - 12:28 (EEST) Section: Latest news

The European Union has agreed on new sanctions against Russia, which will be approved on Monday through written procedure.
This is stated in a joint letter of European Council President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, which was published on the website of the European Council.
“We would like to inform you of the steps taken to implement the Conclusions of the Special European Council of August 30, in which the European Council requested ‘the Commission to urgently undertake preparatory work, jointly with the EEAS, and present proposals for consideration within a week’ so as to enhance the EU’s restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilizing eastern Ukraine,” reads the document.
The EU leaders said that the new sanctions were related to access to capital markets, defense, dual use goods, and sensitive technologies.
The letter also mentions a new list of individuals subject to sanctions. It includes the new leadership in Donbas, the government of Crimea as well as Russian decision-makers and oligarchs.
“The formal adoption of this package will be done through written procedure on Monday,” reads the letter.
According to Barroso and Van Rompuy, this will increase the effectiveness of the measures already in place and also “reinforce the principle that EU sanctions are directed at promoting a change of course in Russia’s actions in Ukraine.”