The European Union has been united in condemning the Russian invasion of Ukrainealthough how to deal with Moscow It has caused more than one disagreement between the Twenty-seven. HungaryFor example, it has been reluctant to impose sanctions on natural gas, oil and nuclear energy.
Brussels has already approved eleven rounds of economic restrictions contra Russia. The last one, last June, and which included sanctions against a hundred individuals close to the Kremlinin addition to prohibiting the export of technology to the Eurasian country and a mechanism to prosecute companies and third countries that help Moscow to avoid the sanctions.
Even so, from the EU they are aware that Russia go on circumventing the measures and for this reason they have presented a proposal to apply sanctions uniformly in all Member States. The MEPs approved, yesterday, a report on a law that will introduce a common definition of offenses and minimum penalties throughout the Community territory
Las community institution sanctions they have been based on the freezing of funds and assets, the travel ban, as well as arms embargoes and restrictions on business sectors. In this way, according to the proposed law, the infractions would consist of not freezing funds or not respecting travel bans required by the sanctions, or do business with state entities of countries subject to the restrictions.
The text has been approved by 36 votes in favour, 2 against and 2 abstentions. At the close of the vote, the report’s rapporteur, the Dutch liberal Sophie In ‘t Veld (of the Renew party), has insisted that “this immunity must be ended.” “Sanctions only take effect when they are strictly and uniformly applied across the EU. Many wealthy Russians can continue to lead a lavish lifestyle and companies make huge profits violating sanctions,” In ‘t Veld highlighted.
If the proposal goes ahead, which still has to have the approval of the representatives of the European Council (countries), circumvent economic restrictions would become a punishable criminal offense with prison sentences of a maximum of five years and fines of up to ten million euros.
In this sense, when companies violate the limitations, they should be excluded from public tenders. In the approved text, the MEPs have set the maximum fine that companies would pay in the 15% of global annual turnover and have added new aggravating circumstances, for example war crimes and obstruction of investigationswhich carry higher penalties.
Brussels wants suffocate Russia economically and thus frustrate Russian capabilities to continue the aggression. The European Union shows, once again, its unwavering support for Ukraine and his determination to continue confronting the Kremlin at all times.
