EU prepares new package of sanctions against Russia

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has said that the European Union (EU) has prepared the 12th package of anti-Russian sanctions, which also includes a ban on the import of diamonds from the Russian Federation to the G7 countries.

“Over the past few months, the regional community has been actively drawing up another package of restrictions concerning Moscow. Moreover, the prime minister indicated Belgium's readiness to fulfil its obligations as the country holding the presidency of the Council of the EU and to take measures to ensure the unity of the EU member states on relevant issues,” De Croo told journalists, Gazeta.ru reports.

“The 12th package of sanctions has been prepared, it contains very important elements, such as a ban on Russian diamonds on the markets of G7 countries,” he emphasised while answering the journalists’ questions at a meeting in Brussels.

The current country presiding over the Council of the EU is Spain. Madrid received powers in July 2023, but they will pass to Brussels from January 2024. Belgium will continue fulfilling the relevant functions until June 2024, after which this responsibility will be transferred to Hungary.