Sanctions against Russia
57 Commons Library Research Briefing, 22 March 2023
On 9 March the EU added a ban on the export of maritime navigation goods
and radio communication technology to Russia.
248
On 15 March the EU announced that it would prohibit all transactions with
certain state-owned enterprises, prohibit new investments in the Russian
energy sector and place an export ban on equipment, technology and
services for the energy industry. In concert with allies, further trade
restrictions will also be introduced in relation to iron, steel and luxury
goods.
249
On 8 April EU leaders agreed to place a ban on the purchase, import or
transfer of coal and other solid fossil fuels into the EU if they originate in
Russia or are exported from Russia. That ban came into effect in August
2022.
250
A ban was also imposed in early April on the export to Russia of jet fuel,
quantum computers and other advanced semiconductors, high end
electronics, software, sensitive machinery and transportation equipment.
Russian imports of wood, cement, fertilisers, seafood and liquor have also
been prohibited and sanctions have been put in place on companies whose
products or technology have played a role in the invasion of Ukraine,
including Yantar shipyard, and PO More Shipyard.
251
On 3 June 2022 the EU also agreed to a phased ban on the purchase, import
or transfer of Russian- crude oil and certain petroleum products, within a six
to eight-month timeframe. There will, however, be a temporary exception for
imports of crude oil by pipeline for those landlocked countries, including
Hungary, which rely on Russian supplies and have no viable alternative
options. Bulgaria and Croatia will also benefit from a temporary derogation
concerning the import of Russian seaborne crude oil and vacuum gas oil.
252
As
outlined above, the EU also committed to working with the G7 countries
toward the implementation of a price cap on oil imports by 5 December 2022.
As part of the sanctions package agreed on 6 October 2022, the EU
introduced the necessary legislation to implement those price cap
measures.
253
Provision of consulting services
In line with restrictions already imposed by the UK and the US (see above), on
3 June the EU confirmed that a prohibition will be placed on the provision of
accounting, public relations, consultancy and cloud services, to Russia.
254
248
Council of the European Union, Press release, 9 March 2022
249
Official Journal of the European Union, L87 I, Vol.65, 15 March 2022
250
Council of the European Union, Press release, 8 April 2022
251
Council of the European Union, Press release, 8 April 2022 and Official Journal of the European
Union, L110/55, 8 April 2022
252
Council of the European Union, Press release, 3 June 2022
253
Council of the European Union, Press release, 6 October 2022
254
Council of the European Union, Press release, 3 June 2022
