France: EU has approved a new sanctions package against Russians and Belarus banks

The European Union said on Wednesday it was stepping up sanctions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including targeting more Russian individuals and adding banks in Moscow’s ally Belarus.

The 27-nation bloc was blacklisting 160 more Russian parliamentarians and oligarchs, was banning exports of maritime navigation technology to Russia and was including crypto-assets under its punitive measures, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

The EU was also targeting the banking sector in Belarus, where Russia has amassed troops it used to attack Ukraine.

SWIFT disconnection in #Belarus

The #EU Permanent Representatives have agreed to extend sanctions against “#Russian oligarchs and their family members” and to disconnect three #Belarusian banks from #SWIFT, the #French presidency of the EU stated. pic.twitter.com/cZ4GEGaizE

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 9, 2022