EU to propose import ban on Russia coal, chemicals, wood -source

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, January 18, 2018. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Picture

BRUSSELS, April 5 (Reuters) – The European Fee will suggest on Tuesday to EU nations sweeping new sanctions in opposition to Russia, together with banning imports of coal, wooden, chemical substances and other goods worthy of about 9 billion euros ($9.86 billion) a yr, an EU supply explained to Reuters.

The European Union is also to propose a ban on exports to Russia truly worth yet another 10 billion euros a calendar year, including of semiconductors, personal computers, technologies for LNG gas, and other electrical and transportation tools, the resource claimed.

Russian vessels and vans would be prevented from accessing the EU, further more crippling trade, the resource explained, with exceptions built for power items, food and medicines.

The 27-nation EU would also ban all transactions with VTB (VTBR.MM) and an additional 3 Russian banking companies which have presently been excluded from the SWIFT messaging method, the resource claimed, although dozens extra people, such as oligarchs and politicians, would be additional to the EU’s sanctions listing.

The ban on coal, if authorized by EU states, would be the to start with on any energy import from Russia adopted by the bloc due to the fact Moscow launched what it calls a “specific procedure” in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

The Fee experienced proposed these a ban in January need to Russia invade its neighbour, but EU sources told Reuters it was blocked by Germany, the EU place most reliant on Russia coal. study more

A German governing administration source instructed Reuters Germany would support a phased EU embargo on Russian coal imports.

A ban on coal would be worth all over 4 billion euros a yr, the EU resource said.

As a comparison, the EU imported about 100 billion euros’ worthy of of oil and gas from Russia very last 12 months. Resources stated the EU is functioning on measures on oil and fuel, but has not made any conclusions however.

Import bans would be relevant instantly sanctions are posted in the EU’s official journal, with winding-down durations whose duration is still to be made the decision, the source mentioned.

CRIPPLING TRADE

The EU has previously authorized four rounds of sanctions, like freezing property of the Russian central financial institution and the new actions are supposed to additional cripple trade with Russia.

They would cease transport of merchandise by highway and sea, with the exception of significant imports which include gasoline and oil. The EU has by now banned air targeted visitors with Russia.

Implementing some sanctions may possibly be intricate, officials have repeatedly mentioned, simply because it is not always uncomplicated to recognize the origin of a cargo ship.

Bans on importing wooden, cement, rubber and chemical compounds from Russia, in addition substantial-stop foodstuffs such as caviar and spirits these as vodka will also be proposed, collectively worthy of about 5 billion euros a year, the supply mentioned.

Such as about 10 billion euros from the prepared ban on technological innovation exports to Russia, the new limitations would minimize the worth of trade between the EU and Russia by at least 20 billion euros a 12 months, the resource stated.

($1 = .9123 euros)

Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio added reporting by Jan Strupczewski and Kate Abnett Modifying by Hugh Lawson, Ed Osmond and Catherine Evans

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