Chinese names added to EU sanctions list over Russia’s war in Ukraine

For the first time, seven individuals and entities have been added to the bloc’s ‘fully fledged listings’ over support for Moscow’s war effort

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Four companies were sanctioned for providing drone equipment to the Russian military industry. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:47pm, 16 Dec 2024Updated: 12:39am, 17 Dec 2024

The European Union has added Chinese individuals and companies to a sanctions list that will see them hit with travel bans and asset freezes for their role in supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

At a meeting in Brussels on Monday, foreign ministers from the bloc’s 27 member states greenlit a package that included “fully fledged listings” for seven Chinese citizens and companies.

It marks the first time such a punishment has been used in relation to China’s relations with Russia. In previous sanctions packages, mainland Chinese and Hong Kong-registered entities have been added to a blacklist banning them from buying sensitive goods from the EU, but had not been added to the sanctions register.

During a press conference after the meeting, the bloc’s new top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, hinted that more sanctions may be on the way.

“Helping Russia in this war has a cost for China and we have to be very clear on this because we should not make this mistake that we have done with Russia … [we have] to really be strong here and show our unity,” Kallas said.

When she recently visited Ukraine, Kyiv officials said China was giving Russia “the satellites that are provided for killer drones”, she added.