The European Union agreed on the 12th package of sanctions against Russia
EU leaders agreed on the 12th package of sanctions in the absence of Austrian Chancellor Karl Neuhammer, one of the main opponents of the introduction of restrictive measures. Earlier, the Austrian government blocked the new sanctions.
"The European Council welcomes the adoption of the 12th sanctions package," the final statement reads.
According to Reuters, the new sanctions package should include a direct ban on the import of Russian rough diamonds from January 1, and a gradual ban on the import of diamonds from third countries from March. Also, according to the publication, the final version includes a requirement that banks and Russian legal entities or individuals must notify the relevant national supervisory authorities of the EU about money transfers in the amount of 100,000 euros ($109,900). The final version of the 12th sanctions package has not yet been published in the EU Official Journal.
According to diplomatic sources, the text of the package was agreed with all countries earlier this week, but Austria refrained from finalizing the document until late Thursday, December 14 (the first day of the EU summit in Brussels). According to Reuters, Austria tried to remove Raiffeisen Bank International from Ukraine's "blacklist" in exchange for approval of the 12th package of sanctions . Raiffeisen still appears on Ukraine's "international list of war sponsors."
Earlier, it was said that the new set of sanctions was aimed at "undermining Russia's ability to circumvent existing bans through third countries that have access to components, technology and electronics used in the production of weapons . "
