The Council of the EU included the circumvention of the imposed sanctions in the list of crimes

The Council of the EU approved the decision to include the circumvention of sanctions in the list of crimes. Such a statement published on the authority’s website.

“The inclusion of violations of restrictive measures in the list of “EU crimes” is the first of two steps to ensure the same degree of enforcement of sanctions throughout the EU and to stop attempts to circumvent or violate EU measures,” the statement said.

Czech Justice Minister Pavel Blazek, in turn, mentioned the sanctions imposed against Russia because of the special operation in Ukraine. “Their implementation requires a collaborative effort to be successful, and today’s decision is an important tool to ensure that any attempts to circumvent these measures are thwarted,” he added.

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the EU member states, the United States, Canada and Japan imposed several packages of sanctions against Russia. Last, eighth package was introduced October 6th. One of the main measures was to limit the cost of oil. The price ceiling for crude oil will come into force on December 5, 2022, and for petroleum products on February 5, 2023. The European Commission noted that this measure was developed in “close coordination” with the G7.

At the end of November the newspaper Politico wrotethat the authorities of Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are trying to convince other EU countries and the European Commission to adopt the ninth package of anti-Russian sanctions. The new package of sanctions in the future will focus on many separate lists affecting Russian officials and “propagandists,” the sources said.

In response, Moscow also imposed sanctions against Western countries. The first restrictions against the United States were announced on March 15. Among those sanctioned were President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Later, politicians and journalists from Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the European Union were subject to restrictions.

“We want to remind the initiators of anti-Russian measures that any unfriendly actions against Russia will continue to meet with a harsh response from our side,” the Russian Foreign Ministry noted.

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