The Russia-Ukraine war has lasted for more than 600 days, and Europe and the United States have continued to impose a series of sanctions against Russia, including enterprises, individuals, banking institutions, etc., and the number of sanctions lists continues to grow.
On the 20th local time, the European Union issued a statement again saying that the previous twelve rounds of sanctions will continue to be implemented for one year until February 25, 2025. Four more Chinese companies (including three Chinese mainland companies and one Hong Kong company) were added to the 13th sanctions list drawn up at the meeting on the 21st.
These companies will be barred from doing business with Europe, cutting off the channels for these companies to purchase products from the EU and resell them to Russia.
The European Commission said in a statement last year that the European Council had adopted the 12th round of sanctions against Russia, which included restrictions on the import of Russian diamonds, new import and export restrictions, and a new list of individual sanctions. This will make it more difficult for Russia to circumvent EU sanctions, limiting Russia's economic power.
From January 1, 2024, the European Union will ban the direct or indirect import, purchase or transfer of diamonds from Russia. The ban applies to diamonds originating in Russia, diamonds exported from Russia, diamonds transiting through Russia, and Russian diamonds processed in third countries.
Separately, the EU diamond ban will be implemented in coordination with the Group of Seven (G7), which announced a similar ban earlier this month. The global natural diamond jewelry business is valued at $87 billion.
Russia is the world's largest producer of rough diamonds by production, and more than 90% of its business is dominated by a company called Alrosa. In 2021, the year before the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, Russia exported about $4 billion (about 37.).700 million euros), a figure that fell only slightly in 2022 due to the fact that Western countries did not impose any restrictions.
The clandestine nature of the diamond industry was cited as the main reason for the postponement of the sanctions. Diamonds change hands several times before they reach the end customer. For example, Russian rough diamonds are typically cut and polished in India, then traded in Antwerp, Belgium, and shipped from there to other markets around the world, such as the United States, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
This means that retailers are likely not able to determine the exactly** of a particular diamond, making it difficult to distinguish between Russian and non-Russian diamonds. In an effort to prevent Russian diamonds from flowing into the underground market, the European Union and the G7 have been developing an international diamond traceability system to trace the entire diamond** chain, from mines to retail stores.
In addition, in order to prevent the flow of relevant technology or equipment into Russia, the sanctions also require EU exporters to contractually prohibit the re-export of particularly sensitive goods and technologies to Russia when selling, transferring or exporting to third countries (except partner countries).
The European Council has added 29 new entities to the list of direct support for Russian military and industrial blocs. They will be subject to stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies, as well as goods and technologies that may help strengthen the technology of Russia's defense and security sector.
In addition, today's decision expands the list of restricted items that could contribute to the technological enhancement of the Russian defense and security sector, including: chemicals, lithium batteries, thermostats and drones, among others.
Finally, the EU has also introduced a new ban on the import of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as a list of metal products, further restricting the import of goods that generate huge revenues for Russia, such as pig iron, copper wire, aluminum wire, etc., which have a total annual value of 3.2 billion euros.
Recently, most of the companies added to the EU's proposed 13th round of sanctions are Russian companies, including three Chinese mainland companies and one Hong Kong company.
It is reported that the three Chinese mainland companies are Guangzhou Ausay Technology Co Limited and Shenzhen Biguang Trading CoLIMITED), Yilufa Electronics Limited), and a company registered in Hong Kong, RG Solutions Limited.
These companies will be barred from doing business with Europe, cutting off the channels for these companies to purchase products from the EU and resell them to Russia.
The package also includes the imposition of sanctions against Russian shipping companies that transport armaments. The programme also expands export restrictions on a number of technologies and electronics, such as chips, machines and ball bearings used in the Russian defense industry.
According to the study, China, Hong Kong (China), Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are playing an increasingly important role in transporting key components from Western countries to Russia.
In addition to three Chinese companies and one Hong Kong (China) company, the proposed list also includes companies from India, Sri Lanka, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Thailand and Turkey. The EU has previously listed more than 620 companies, mostly from Russia.
The companies are accused of importing prohibited technologies and electronics, which are then re-exported to Russia.
In addition to the restrictions, the EU is proposing sanctions on more than 110 individuals and entities as part of a broader package to mark the second anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of China in January, Sino-Russian relations reached a record high of $240 billion in 2023. The data shows an increase in the number of Russian purchases of Chinese cars and smartphones.
On February 22, local time, U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo said that the United States would impose sanctions on more than 500 targets on the 23rd.
Figure reported by the Russian News Agency.
Adeyemo said that it would work with other countries to impose sanctions against the military-industrial complex, including Russia, as well as third-country companies that help Russia obtain the goods it needs.
Among the packages of "sanctions against Russia" measures such as the European Union and the United States, the biggest impact on the world is the sanctions on some goods, companies and Russian banks, which have caused great difficulties in delivery.
Yesterday, some friends were asking Chouzhou Bank, which had already announced the suspension of its business with Russia. See: Suddenly! Another Chinese bank, halting the foreign exchange collection business in Russia!
Regarding the "collection of money to Russia", for details: crying to death! The Russian market is "completely cool"? Let's talk about the problem of "no way to pay" for customers in the country!