EU hits Russia with more sanctions: From trade to truffles
BRUSSELS (AP) — Pure-bred horses, truffles, a soccer club owner and a media company chief.
They were among the targets of new European Union sanctions against Russia on Tuesday that sought to deny oligarchs their love of luxury and rob the nation of lucrative steel exports.
The 27-nation bloc sought to stay away from sanctions that would sap its supply of Russian energy, but pounced with measures worth billions while stifling its ability to work on global markets by banning EU rating agencies to work with Russian clients.
“These new sanctions will cut Russia off even further and drain its resources to finance this barbaric war. So one can say that the Russia has become the most sanctioned nation in the world, which is very dubious honor indeed,” European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said.
The continued punishment of Moscow for its invasion of neighboring Ukraine was done in close consultation with Western allies, from the United Kingdom to the United States.
Together they agreed to deny Russia the status of most favored nation, which will cost its companies privileged status in Western economies. Britain announced sanctions against 350 individuals and entities Tuesday and also promised to ban the export of luxury goods to Russia.
The European Union has already hit about 600 Russians during the four sanction sessions, including 15 individuals and nine entities in the fourth package of sanctions. It affected one oligarch already targeted by Britain — Chelsea soccer club owner Roman Abramovich, who was slapped with an asset freeze and a travel ban.
The EU's official journal said that Abramovich “has had privileged access to the (Russian) president, and has maintained very good relations with him. This connection with the Russian leader helped him to...
