“The European Union’s position has been very clear: we will continue to advance the sanctions as long as the Russian aggression continues,”  Josep Borrell said in remarks as the EU put forward proposals for its fifth sanctions package against Russian Federation.

“We are today submitting proposals for the Council approval for more sanctions to further cripple Putin’s war machinery, following the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in Bucha and other places under Russian occupation in Ukraine.”

Borrell announced that they are now proposing for the Council approval to scale up bans on certain exports, including technologies and jet fuel. “The proposals include: banning import of goods which provide significant revenue to the state budget, prohibiting import of some fuels, particularly coal.”

Borrell said that the bloc is also extending the sanctions lists - adding dozens of people from politics, the business sector and engaged in propaganda activities, and also more entities from financial, military industrial and transport sectors, among them 4 important Russian banks that will not only be taken out from the Swift system, but will also be forbidden from participating in any kind of financial transactions in the EU.

The EU’s position has been clear: we will continue to advance sanctions as long as the Russian aggression against Ukraine continues.

We propose today more hard hitting sanctions to stop the reckless inhuman behaviour of Russian troops and Kremlin's decision makers. pic.twitter.com/xAI1rk6G2G

— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) April 5, 2022

Borrell underlined that the aim of the sanctions is to stop the reckless, inhuman, and aggressive behavior of the Russian troops and make clear to the decision-makers in the Kremlin that "their illegal aggression comes at a heavy cost."

“We are also taking other steps in reaction to the murderous behavior by the Kremlin and its troops,” Borrell said, stating that “Russia’s illegal and disruptive actions against the interests and security of the EU and our Members States, including breaching the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations, are not staying without a response.”

EU declares several Russian diplomats persona non grata

“That is why today, I decided to designate persona non grata a number of officials of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the EU for engaging in activities contrary to their diplomatic status,” Borrell stated.

He also added that the EEAS Secretary-General was summoning the Russian Ambassador to the EU today to communicate this decision. (ILKHA)