LIVE | Von der Leyen Unveils Fresh EU Sanctions Blow To Russia | APT

Propose listing 30 more vessels on top of the 632 already sanctioned. For the first time, we are also targeting vessels that assist the shadow fleet. For example, providing bunkering and other services. And we propose targeting critical infrastructure such as ports or airports or refineries trading or processing Russian oil. Finally, we propose restricting the sale of LNG tankers to Russia just as we already did for oil tankers. My second point is on financial and crypto restrictions. We are expanding our transaction bans to 31 more Russian banks and to 20 banks, crypto firms or platforms and oil traders in third countries. Ones that have been servicing sanctioned Russian entities and individuals or circumventing our measures. For the first time, we will introduce the possibility of a full third country ban for crypto asset services. It will act as a strong deterrent for the countries hosting platforms that help Russia evade our sanctions. My third point is on trade. We're putting forward new export restrictions on items and technologies used by Russia's military industry. For example, we're targeting more metals and alloys used in the aerospace and defense sectors. For drones, we propose new export bans on ground support equipment and jamming and launch systems among other items. We also propose new import bans on a number of goods worth 60 million euros. For example, it covers certain metals, metal ores, or car parts. Because we want to lock in Europe's diversification away from Russian imports. And finally, we're addressing one of the last major unsanctioned sectors. And that is fisheries. We propose substantial restrictions on imports on some fish products. And a complete ban on others, including cod. And we'll be aligning trade restrictions for Belarus, so it cannot serve as a backdoor for Russian trade. I also want to mention one key point of this new aspect. We propose for the first time to ban from entry into the European Union anyone who has served in the Russian armed forces since the beginning of the war. So, Europe stays off limits for anyone who has participated in the invasion of Ukraine. As simple as that. And finally, at the same time, we provide relentless support to our brave neighbor, partner, and future member of the European Union, Ukraine. Yesterday, we delivered almost 3 billion euros from the Ukraine facility. And still this month, we will issue the first disbursement under our 90 billion loan to Ukraine. So, by the end of the month, we will provide Ukraine with 6 billion euros for drones and more than 3 billion euros worth of microfinance assistance. And of course more disbursement will follow soon. And to conclude, one thing I admire the most about our Ukrainian friends is their unbreakable determination to belong to our European Union. That's impressive. They are delivering reform after reform while their city is under attack, while the sky above them is filled with smoke, while air raid sirens across the country. Despite all this, they are making extraordinary progress on their reforms. And clearly Ukraine has delivered, so it's high time for us also now to deliver. And we now have the historic opportunity to do so. In the next days we will open the first cluster with Ukraine and Moldova. And this basically opens the door to the next phase of the accession process, the formal start of negotiations. And I do not need to tell you that the commission stands fully ready to support Ukraine on its path to our European Union where they belong. Thank you very much for your attention.