China News Service, April 8 (Xinhua) According to comprehensive foreign media reports, on the 8th local time, the European Union officially adopted the fifth round of sanctions against Russia, the most important of which is the ban on the import of coal from Russia.
However, the coal ban will have a 120-day transition period until August, considering that member states will need time to find alternative sources of supply.
At the same time, NATO countries led by the United States continue to supply Ukraine with weapons.
Image source: Screenshot of Reuters report
120-day transition period for coal ban
The sanctions plan will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union on April 8 and will take effect immediately.
It is worth mentioning that the most significant ban on Russian coal in this round of sanctions will not take effect immediately, but will take effect in the second week of August after a 120-day transition period.
This means that until then, Russia can continue to receive payments for coal exports from the EU.
The European Commission's initial opinion was to set the transition period at 90 days, but it was extended to 120 days at the request of Germany and other countries, DPA reported, citing sources.
Germany's Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection said earlier that if coal imports from Russia are stopped immediately, Germany will experience a coal shortage and even shut down some power plants.
European Commission: New measures will cost Russia tens of billions of euros a year
The new round of EU sanctions includes a ban on the import of Russian coal, a ban on Russian-registered ships from entering EU ports, restrictions on Russian and Belarusian road transport companies from transporting in the EU, a total ban on transactions with four key Russian banks, and a ban on imports from Russia. Import goods such as wood, alcohol, and caviar.
The European Commission estimates that the coal ban alone will cost Russia 8 billion euros a year in lost revenue.
In addition, the ban on Russian timber, alcohol and high-end seafood can also cost Russia about 5.5 billion euros a year.
Data map: Russian President's Press Secretary Peskov.
Regarding the coal ban, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov responded on the 8th that there is still demand for Russian coal in the international market, and after the EU ban, Russia will seek other alternative markets.
In terms of exports, the EU will impose export restrictions on Russia in the fields of aviation fuel, quantum computers and semiconductors.
In addition, the sanction targets also include Russia's "key oligarchs and businessmen", senior Kremlin officials and the families of some of those who have been sanctioned.
Uzbekistan: Has received heavy weapons from the West
While additional sanctions were imposed on Russia, NATO countries led by the United States continued to provide weapons to Ukraine.
Data map: NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg.
Photo courtesy of NATO issued by China News Agency
At the just-concluded NATO foreign ministers meeting, NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg made it clear that NATO provides support to Ukraine in many different ways, and called on allies to take more actions and provide more equipment.
White House Press Secretary Psaki also said the same day that the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with military equipment, including anti-tank weapons.
According to the latest news from the Russian Satellite Network on the 8th, Arestovich, an adviser to the director of the Ukrainian President's Office, confirmed that the West has provided Ukraine with "real heavy weapons."
Regarding the continued supply of arms from the West to Ukraine, Russian Presidential Press Secretary Peskov responded on the 7th that the act of sending arms and providing military support to Ukraine will not help the success of Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov also previously warned that vehicles transporting foreign weapons will become a legitimate target of Russian armed forces.