EU approves new sanctions package against Russia

European Union (EU) member countries agreed on a tenth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation on Friday, the first on the anniversary of the "special military operation" in Ukraine. Measures include stricter export controls on goods that have both civilian and military uses.

These include machine parts, antennas, cranes, special vehicles and spare parts for trucks and engines. The sanctions are also intended to hit people who support Russia's war against Ukraine, spread propaganda or deliver drones. An EU diplomat told AFP that 120 individuals, organizations and three Russian banks were included in the package. The agreement still has to be finally confirmed by all countries today before the details of the new sanctions are published.

Hungary had initially delayed an agreement, and Poland recently opposed it. Warsaw called for stricter rules for the import of synthetic rubber from Russia, and Italy called for longer transitional periods. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen explained that the goods that Russia was not allowed to receive included electronic devices and parts of devices that can be used in drones, missiles, helicopters and other military systems. According to the French news agency, the European Union has already imposed nine unprecedented sanctions on Moscow aimed at hitting Russia's defense capabilities and its main exports, particularly oil.