The European Union released its ninth round of anti-Russian sanctions that not only implement bans on the exports of drone engines but, the designation even goes as far as to seize the funds and assets of those belonging to Russia Today (RT) as well as targeting its parent company Ano TV-Novosti under the guise that the nonprofit parent firm and broadcasting network “work to spread propaganda and disinformation".
“The EU has passed its ninth package of Ukraine-related sanctions against Russia, according to a statement published on the website of the European Council on Friday. The new measures are meant to step up pressure on Russia and its government.
According to the document, the latest restrictions include new export controls and restrictions on dual-use goods and technology, along with goods and technology that could be used in the defense and security sector.
The measures target key chemicals, nerve agents, night-vision and radio-navigation equipment, as well as electronics and IT components.
Moreover, Brussels has expanded the list of entities connected to Russia’s military and industrial complex by an additional 168 enterprises that are now targeted by sectoral sanctions. Some of the entities are located in Crimea or Sevastopol and are included in the list to avoid circumvention.
The EU authorities have also expanded their export ban on goods and technology related to the aviation and space sectors, including aircraft engines and their parts.
Brussels has also revealed a plan to freeze the assets of two more Russian banks and to include the Russian Regional Development Bank on the list of Russian state-owned or controlled entities that are subject to a full transaction ban.
Under the latest decision, four more media outlets, including NTV, NTV Mir, Rossiya 1, REN TV, and Perviy Channel will be deprived of their broadcasting licenses in the EU”. -RT
"The new measures are meant to step up pressure on Russia and its government".
Besides the previous eight go-rounds of EU sanction packages failing to bring the Kremlin to its knees, it so happens that the Russians have managed to profit despite the prohibition while the EU is experiencing record-level inflation.
Instead of hurting Russia, the sanctions are only harming European industries, much to the delight of multinational mega-corporations like Vanguard and BlackRock, as well as the primary financial institutions in the City of London and Wall Street.
Choosing to boycott Russia at this point is more akin to sanctioning oneself. After all, there's really very little that Europe can supply to Russia that Russia cannot produce or source from China.