The EU has finally approved the sixth package of sanctions against Russia

Kyiv/03.06.22/UNIAN: The EU Council has completed the procedure for approving the sixth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.

The sanctions package is considered officially accepted. This is reported by the press service of the EU Council.

The EU sanctions presuppose the refusal of the Union countries from importing Russian oil for 6 months, from importing petroleum products for 8 months.

In addition, the sanctions imply the phasing out of Russian oil transported by sea, a temporary exception has been made for pipeline oil.

The sanctions also involve disconnecting Sberbank, Rosselkhoznadzor and Credit Bank of Moscow from SWIFT

In addition, the sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia included a ban on the broadcasting of three Russian state TV channels: "Russia RTR/RTR Planet", "Russia 24/Russia 24" and "International TV Center".

In the sixth sanctions package, European leaders agreed on a list of individuals and organizations affected by export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies.

"Moreover, the EU will expand the list of goods and technologies that can contribute to the technological improvement of the Russian defense and security sector," the Council added.

In addition, in the new sanctions package there is an item "Consulting services". It includes a ban on the provision of accounting, PR and consulting services to Russia, as well as cloud services.

"We are banning the import of Russian oil to the EU and thereby reducing a huge source of income for Russia. We are disconnecting more key Russian banks from the SWIFT international payment system. We are also imposing sanctions against those responsible for the atrocities that took place in Bucha and Mariupol, and banning more disinformers who actively contribute to President Putin's military propaganda," commented Josep Borrel, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The sixth package of sanctions against Russia: what is known

On May 4, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presented the sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia, including the oil embargo and the disconnection of Sberbank from SWIFT.

Hungary opposes the introduction of a ban on Russian oil supplies.

On May 29, Bloomberg, citing sources, reported that the European Commission proposes that EU countries refuse to import Russian oil by sea, while at the same time postponing restrictions on its import from the key Druzhba pipeline.

Subsequently, the European Union agreed on a partial embargo on Russian oil.

The agreement banning the export of Russian oil to the EU concerns more than 2/3 of oil imports from Russia, reducing a significant source of financing for its military machine.

In addition, the new package of European sanctions includes disconnecting the Russian Sberbank from the SWIFT international interbank system, blocking the broadcast of three more Russian state broadcasters in the EU, as well as imposing sanctions on those responsible for war crimes in Ukraine.

The head of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that sanctions against Russia could be announced as early as June 1 or 2.

On June 1, 2022, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that by the end of 2022, the European Union would reduce imports of Russian oil by 92%. Macron noted that he also does not rule out an embargo on gas supplies to the EU from Russia.

On June 2, economic analyst Mikhail Krutikhin said that Russia was talking about the closure of oil refineries.

On June 2, 2022, US President Joe Biden said that the US and the EU are discussing the possibility of purchasing Russian oil at a price below the market.