Arya News - The European Commission is weighing energy, financial services and trade sanctions against Russia as the Ukraine war enters its fifth year.
Feb. 6 (UPI) -- European Commission officials said Friday they"re weighing energy, financial services and trade sanctions against Russia as the Ukraine war nears its fifth year.
The commission is proposing new sanctions to hamstring Russia"s war funding and force the Kremlin to make concessions rather than demands during ongoing peace negotiations.
"While Ukraine continues to defend itself with extraordinary courage on the battlefield, the Kremlin is doubling down on war crimes, deliberately striking homes and civilian infrastructure," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
"Russia will only come to the table with genuine intent if it is pressured to do so," she continued. "This is the only language Russia understands."
Von der Leyen said Russia has seized about 0.8% of Ukrainian territory since attacking its neighbor Feb. 24, 2022, and has amassed the highest casualty rate of any military since World War II.
Russia has targeted Ukraine"s energy facilities and heating systems, which von der Leyen said has deprived many communities of power during the winter months.
"This is not the conduct of a state seeking peace," she said. "It is the behavior of a nation waging a war of attrition against an innocent civilian population."
Among the proposed sanctions to stop such attacks is a widespread ban on EU-based businesses providing any types of services for vessels carrying Russian crude oil, including shipping, port access and insurance.
A less stringent ban has been in place since December 2022 and prevents such services for Russian tankers that carry crude oil that is being sold for more than $44.10 per barrel.
The United States similarly has a ban in place, but its price limit is $60 per barrel for Russian crude oil.
Another proposed sanction targets maintenance services on Russian icebreakers and tankers that carry liquefied natural gas. EU nations previously imposed a total ban on Russian natural gas imports by the end of 2026.
Another 42 tankers also would be added to a growing list of hundreds of sanctioned Russian vessels that comprise its shadow fleet, which would number 640 sanctioned tankers if the proposed sanctions are enacted.
The EU also seeks to restrict Russia"s importation of minerals, chemicals and metals and place a quota on ammonia, which is a key ingredient of fertilizers.
Other products that would be restricted include tractors, rubber and cybersecurity services.