EU sources confirmed on Wednesday that the European Commission had proposed adding 15 new entities and persons to its sanctions framework, including individuals suspected of using chemical weaponry in Ukraine as well as Russian hybrid threats.

Russia has been waging an invasion of Ukraine for more than three years. The chemical weapons watchdog OPCW announced in November of last year that it had discovered evidence of tear-gas use on Ukraine’s frontline against Russia, without naming any blame.

Under the Chemical Weapons Convention (the non-proliferation agreement overseen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, OPCW), the use of riot control agents like tear gas is prohibited as a form of warfare. The United States, Ukraine and other countries have accused Moscow for violating the Convention. The Kremlin denies these allegations.

On Wednesday, EU envoys started discussions on the 17th package against Russia that targets Russia’s military apparatus as well as Moscow’s shadow shipping fleet.

Parallel to these two packages, there was also a third package of measures, which would include 25 entities and people, mostly the latter, who are suspected of violating rights.

In the next few days, the member states will be expected to agree on the listing of about 140 new vessels, mostly tankers, as well as 70 entities and people. The EU’s diplomatic branch, the EEAS is responsible for initiating new listings, while the Commission is in charge of sector-wide sanctions.

According to sources, the EU will likely list Surgutneftegaz – a major Russian oil firm that Washington targeted last January as part a crackdown on Russia’s energy trade. (Reporting and editing by Julia Payne, Kirsten Doovan and Mark Heinrich)

(source: Reuters)