Zurich (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Switzerland adopted EU sanctions on Russia and Belarus, adding 54 individuals, 30 entities, and 52 vessels to restrictive lists.
Switzerland’s Government adopted the fresh European Union sanctions package on Russia and Belarus. The action came one week after the European Union hit Russia’s ships and Chinese entities were discovered to have dealt with the Russian military.
According to the official statement of the Swiss government,
The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER), in its power as the qualified body for sanctions, has extended its list of restrictive measures against Russia and Belarus. Switzerland is thus assuming the additional sanctions chosen by the European Union in reaction to Russia’s continuing military aggression against Ukraine and the circumstances in Belarus. The changes will take effect on 24 December.
The European Union approved new sanctions against Russia on 16 December as part of its fifteenth package of restrictive measures in response to Russia’s continued military attack against Ukraine and its destabilising activities damaging Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and safety.
What actions did Switzerland take in response to EU sanctions?
The Swiss government added 54 individuals and 30 businesses and organisations to the sanction list with a freeze on assets and a prohibition on providing funds, economic aid or technical assistance. The statement further said that the recently sanctioned persons, who are mostly part of the military, senior leaders in businesses in the energy sector, and people responsible for the removal of kids or the dissemination of propaganda and disinformation, are also subject to a prohibition on entering and crossing Switzerland.
Moreover, 52 vessels have been prohibited from providing comprehensive services. These are especially tankers that are components of Russia’s shadow fleet and are avoiding the price cap on Russian crude oil and petroleum products, hauling military goods for Russia or pinched grain from Ukraine. In the retail domain, 32 further entities have also been put under stricter export rules.
