What sanctions have been imposed on Russia? The European Union, the USA, and the United Kingdom respond to Putin. There is a decision

There is the final consent of the ambassadors of EU countries to sanctions against Russia for recognizing the independence of the self-proclaimed republics in Ukraine – Donetsk and Luhansk and sending troops to territories that formally belong to Ukraine.

As Beata Płomecka, the Brussels correspondent of the Polish Radio, found out unofficially. In the afternoon, with the publication of the decision in the EU’s Official Journal, the sanctions will enter into force.

The European Union has a list of restrictions. What might Russia be afraid of?

On Tuesday, the head of the European Council Charles Michel and the head of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen informed that the package of restrictions would include sanctions against banks that finance Russian military operations, restricting Russia’s access to capital and financial services, and trade with the European Union. The EU also wants to prevent trade with the self-proclaimed republics and regions that have cooperated in their recognition.

The sanctions are also intended to affect specific people. As we read in the PAP release, Radio Swoboda was to obtain information about the Russians who will be affected by the sanctions from sources in the European Commission. According to the station, the EU’s “black list” will include: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, RT head Margarita Simonjanna, President Vladimir Putin’s head of administration Anton Vajno, State Duma deputy chairman Piotr Tolstoy, and TV journalist Vladimir Soloviev. According to the findings of the Brussels correspondent of Polish Radio, Beata Płomecka, over 350 people associated with Vladimir Putin are to be entered on the list.

Germany stops approving Nord Stream 2

A separate decision, which should be treated as a direct restriction on sending troops to Ukrainian territory, is the blocking of Nord Stream 2. On Tuesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that the certification of the gas pipeline could not be carried out in the face of the recent events in Ukraine.

“In light of recent events, we need to reassess the situation, particularly with regard to Nord Stream 2,” Scholz (quoted by Reuters) said at a press conference with his Irish counterpart. “The situation has changed dramatically,” he then wrote on Twitter, commenting on the reasons for the decision against Nord Stream 2.

The United States announces restrictions. Hitting the banks

The US also announced sanctions on Tuesday. – We are proposing four blocks of sanctions relating to Russian financial institutions. Nord Stream II will not be completed at this point. We are imposing sanctions that completely block two Russian banks. The restrictions will affect leading Russian activists and their families, President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday.

The American leader criticized Moscow’s recent actions. – Who gave Putin the right to declare the creation of new states that lie on his neighbor’s territory? The US will continue to provide defense support to Ukraine, he assured.

Britain hits banks and oligarchs

London also responded to Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine. Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that the UK is imposing sanctions on five Russian banks and three specific individuals. These are Putin’s friends and billionaires: Gennady Timchenko and the Rotenberg brothers Igor and Boris. All three are banned from entering the UK, and their assets in the country are completely frozen.

In addition to billionaires, restrictions also apply to five Russian banks: General Bank, Promsvyaz Bank, IS Bank, Black Sea Bank, and Rossiya.

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Germany has suspended the certification of the gas pipeline that is to supply gas from Russia. This does not mean the end of the Nord Stream 2 project yet, but it is a serious warning for Moscow as its conflict with Kiev intensifies. The European energy industry is (still) strongly connected with Russia. What do Russia’s aggressive actions mean for the energy sector in Europe? What is to be reckoned with, what to fear, and how should the West react? We invite you to send questions to the following address: news_gazetapl@agora.pl, we will ask them to an expert this Thursday in the Q&A program.