EU envoys set to approve major new Russia sanctions on Wednesday

EU to Approve Largest Batch of Russia Sanctions Targeting Military Industry

Overview of the New EU Sanctions Package

By Julia Payne

Approval Process and Timeline

BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (Reuters) - EU envoys are expected to approve about 1,650 new designations on Wednesday under the bloc's sanctions regime for Russia, with the majority focused on the country's military industrial complex, EU diplomats said on Tuesday. 

The package, proposed by the EU's foreign policy arm, the EEAS, will be the single largest set of designations since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Once approved by ambassadors, the listings will be sent to EU foreign ministers next Monday for final adoption. 

Key Details of the Sanctions

• About 1,570 of the new listings are entities and individuals involved in Russia's military-industrial complex, with over half concentrated on missile production.
• Currently, the EU has just over 3,000 designations in its main Russia sanctions regulation, which entails EU travel and transaction bans as well as asset freezes.
• The other new listings are Russia-related but under different frameworks including several under the EU's North Korea restrictions.
• The EU's last combined package - its 21st - was adopted in July.

Implications for Russia's Military Industry

These measures are expected to further restrict Russia's ability to sustain its military operations, particularly in missile production and other critical sectors.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Julia PayneEditing by Gareth Jones)