The European Union wants to expand economic sanctions against Russia, first and foremost, in the financial market, reports GHN based on Ukrinform.
"Other measures discussed at Monday's meeting [of EU ambassadors in Brussels] included banning syndicated EU loans to Russian government-owned banks and institutions. The European Commission also proposed a shortening of the minimum maturity of Russian state-owned banks' debt instruments that cannot be sold in the EU under a decision from July to 30 days from the previously agreed 90 days," reads the report.
New sanctions may also concern Russian state-owned companies. In future they could be denied access to EU assistance. The current ban on the supply of dual-use products to Russia may also be extended. It can be applied not only to the military, but also all Russian customers.
At the same time, cutting off Russia from the SWIFT international bank transaction system was not discussed, because the measure is considered too radical. The bloc is also looking at barring Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu from entering the EU, the diplomats said.
The European Commission plans to decide on a concerned package of proposed measures on Wednesday, September 3. The final decision on the package of sanctions against Russia is to be made on September 5.