EU envoys have agreed on a series of bans on Russian imports in a new sanctions package, as heads of states prepare to meet again in Paris to discuss the future of European security and of the war in Ukraine.
EU envoys agreed on a 16th package of sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, EU diplomats said, including a ban on primary aluminium imports, sales of gaming consoles and the listing of 73 shadow fleet vessels.
The package, which largely sticks to the European Commission's proposal, is expected to be adopted by EU foreign ministers next week, to mark the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"The EU is clamping down even harder on circumvention by targeting more vessels in Putin’s shadow fleet and imposing new import and export bans," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on social media.
"We are committed to keep up the pressure on the Kremlin," she added.
The aluminium import ban will be phased in a year from the official adoption of the package, which also adds 48 individuals and 35 entities to its sanctions list that includes asset freezes and a travel ban, diplomats said.
More talks
The French president contacted the US president on the phone before Monday’s mini-summit in Paris.
Emmanuel Macron still hopes to convince US President Donald Trump that nothing can be negotiated without the Ukrainians and that the Europeans must be able to "put forward their own solutions."
New talks are taking place in Paris today, Wednesday.
The talks were set to take place Wednesday afternoon, with most participants taking part by video link, according to the Elysee.
Macron to host new emergency talks on Ukraine
This progress on the latest EU sanctions comes after Trump's administration said on Tuesday it had agreed to hold more talks with Russia on ending the war in Ukraine.
This came after an initial meeting that excluded Kyiv, a departure from Washington's previous approach that rallied US allies to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Europe scrambles to boost defence as US wavers on Ukraine support
More sanctions
The European Union along with other Western powers has been ratcheting up restrictions in recent months to squeeze Russia's oil exports. In addition to the vessels, the envoys agreed to prohibit transactions with ports and airports in Russia used to circumvent the Group of Seven price cap on Russian oil.
The newly sanctioned ships will be added to the already listed 79 ships, mainly tankers, used by Russia to sell oil outside the price cap or vessels that help in Moscow's war effort such as shipping ammunition from North Korea.
The package also expands the criteria the EU will be able to use to sanction owners and operators of the shadow fleet, including captains, as well as those providing support to the military.
Sales of video game consoles, joysticks and flight simulators would also be restricted as they could be used by Russia's military to control drones, one of the diplomats said.
Other bans include exports of chromium and certain chemicals as well as a service ban for oil and gas refineries.
(with newswires)
