What Makes the 18th EU Sanctions Stronger?

What makes the latest EU sanctions on Russia stronger than previous rounds? Correspondent William Denselow shares his thoughts.

Transcript

00:00William, talk us through how significant these new sanctions actually are, especially compared to previous packages.

00:06What makes these even stronger?

00:09Well, essentially, this is all part of the EU's plans to tighten the screw on Moscow.

00:13It's the 18th round of sanctions.

00:15Kaya Kalas, the EU's top diplomat, foreign affairs chief, says that the EU won't back down

00:21and will continue to raise the pressure on Russia until they change course when it comes to the war of aggression in Ukraine.

00:30Now, you mentioned a few of the components of this 18th package.

00:34Now, energy is a crucial one.

00:36Maybe one of the top lines is that the EU is reducing the energy cap on Russian oil from $60 per barrel of Russian crude

00:46to a little north of $45, so a $15 reduction there.

00:52Now, this is particularly significant, considering the fact that, according to EU estimates,

00:58around a third of Russia's revenue is generated by its oil exports.

01:04There's also been more of a clampdown on its so-called shadow fleet,

01:09an extra 105 vessels included, bringing the total to 444.

01:14So, energy, a major thing, Russian banking sector, another key target.

01:19And an additional area that is important to look at is concerns the EU has when it comes

01:25to dual-use goods and other nations that allegedly supplying Russia with goods that can be used

01:31in its war in Russia.

01:32So, significantly, several Chinese entities accused of selling goods that can be used on the battlefield

01:38also included in this latest sanctions list.

01:41So, I can open my eyes for a particular device here, as for electricity to the EU.

01:45And do now.

01:46There's also an additional点 above that issue.