BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union on Monday imposed new sanctions on dozens of officials involved in Russia’s war against Ukraine, including two top North Korean defense officials, a military unit blamed for an attack on a children’s hospital in Kiev and the heads of companies in Ukraine. the energy sector.
The vast Russian shadow fleet of ships that Moscow operates to circumvent restrictions on transporting oil and gas or transporting stolen Ukrainian grain was also targeted. Fifty-two ships were added to a growing list of ships banned from visiting European ports and providing services.
“This package of sanctions is part of our response to weakening the Russian war machine and those who enable it, including Chinese companies,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said. “We will support the Ukrainian people on all fronts: humanitarian, economic, political, diplomatic and military.”
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In total, EU foreign ministers have frozen the assets of 54 people and 30 ‘entities’, mostly companies, ministries, government agencies or other organizations. Travel bans were also imposed on officials.
The EU has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces to invade Ukraine in February 2022. More than 2,300 officials and entities have now been affected.
North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang Chol was targeted because he was directly involved in military cooperation, including sending thousands of troops to Russia. Deputy Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff Kim Yong Bok was also hit for going to Russia to oversee their deployment.
This time, several companies were also targeted, including Russian defense companies, a chemical factory and a Russian civilian airline that provided logistical support to the armed forces. Measures were also imposed on Chinese nationals accused of supplying drone parts and electronic equipment.
Interests in China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates, which are accused of helping Russia circumvent EU sanctions or trade restrictions on the movement of sensitive items used by Moscow on drones and missiles, were also affected.
