The EU will start consulting with member countries on the next sanctions package against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine in the coming days, Bloomberg reported on Oct. 20, citing undisclosed sources.
The bloc's 12th sanctions package could include a ban on Russian diamonds, a further crackdown on Russia's ability to circumvent sanctions, and listing companies in third-party countries that help Moscow to do so, Bloomberg said.
Despite Western sanctions, Russia's diamond sales keep filling the Kremlin's coffers amid the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia's main diamond producer, Alrosa, sells its product to Western brands through intermediaries in third-party countries, an investigation by the Kyiv Independent revealed.
Daniil Ukhorskiy
Brussels also reportedly seeks to expand the list of restricted dual-use goods with military applications, yet another product that Moscow manages to obtain via third-party states.
The European Commission warned earlier that if diplomatic channels are insufficient to prevent third-party countries from re-exporting sanctioned products, the European bloc can ban exports to those states as well.
According to Rikard Jozwiak, a journalist at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, discussions between the European Commission and the EU ambassadors on the new package are to begin between Oct. 21-22. European leaders hope to reach an agreement in November through December, he added.
The EU imposed its previous 11th sanctions package in June, aimed at countering sanctions circumvention, mainly in dual-use products and in Russian oil trade.
