European Union imposes package of new sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine

The European Union (EU) on Monday adopted new sanctions against Russia for his invasion of Ukraine, which, according to diplomats, includes tycoon Roman Abramovich on the list of Russian citizens affected by the restrictions.

The rotating presidency of European Councilor tweeted that the representatives of the bloc countries in Brussels reached an agreement with a fourth package of sanctions on people and companies “involved in the assault on Ukraine.”

The measures “will enter into force as soon as they are published in the Official Journal of the European Union,” the French presidency of the EU Council said on Twitter. The publication is expected to be made on Tuesday.

Three diplomats in Brussels told AFP that Abramovicha Russian billionaire who owns the English soccer club Chelsea, had been added to the list.

The assets of these tycoons in EU territory – including luxury yachts and mansions – could be seized.

The UK and Canada have already included Abramovich on their own lists of sanctioned Russian citizens.

The UK’s announcement to sanction Abramovich even stalled an attempt by the Russian tycoon to sell the Chelsea club.

According to one of the diplomats consulted by AFP, the declared reason for sanctioning Abramovich is that he is a “Russian oligarch who has close and long-standing ties with [el presidente] Vladimir Putin”, to whom he has “privileged access”.

Furthermore, it is considered to provide “a substantial source of revenue” to the Russian government.

There are no “untouchables”

Over the weekend, the 140-meter-long Solaris superyacht owned by Abramovich was seen arriving at a port in Montenegro, a country that is not part of the EU but has ambitions to join.

The ship had left Barcelona days before.

Abramovich, 55, has a fortune estimated at 12.4 billion dollars (about 11.3 billion euros), according to the magazine Forbesand it is rumored that he owns half a dozen yachts.

The Russian tycoon also adopted Portuguese and Israeli nationalities.

The European Commissioner for Trade, Valdis DombrovskisHe said on Monday that “there is no one untouchable, as you will see, this list of oligarchs is continually expanding, but not only with tycoons, but also high-level Russian state and military officials.”

Dombrovskis added that people considered “active in Russia’s propaganda machine” were also on the list.

Russia’s economy is forecast to shrink sharply due to successive rounds of sanctions imposed by the EU, the United States and various allies, targeting the Russian Central Bank.

On February 24, Putin ordered the Russian troops to start operations in the territory of Ukrainetriggering unprecedented Western sanctions against Russia and prompting an exodus of foreign corporations from that country.

The coordinated response of the United States and the EU has made Russia the most sanctioned country in the world, causing the ruble to free fall and accelerating inflation, as well as raising fears of debt default.

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