European Commission proposes new sanctions on Russia - statement

BRUSSELS. Dec 7 (Interfax) - The European Commission proposed on Wednesday that the new, ninth, package of sanctions be imposed on Russia, including a ban on transactions with three Russian banks and other measures.

"Today, we are stepping up the pressure on Russia, with a ninth package of sanctions," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement on Wednesday.

As a new package of measures, the commission proposed adding almost 200 other individuals and entities to the EU sanctions list, including "the Russian armed forces, as well as individual officers and defense industrial companies, members of the State Duma and Federation Council, ministers, governors and political parties, among others," the statement says.

The European Commission also proposed sanctioning three other Russian banks, which would include a full transaction ban on the Russian Regional Development Bank, and a ban on broadcasts of four Russian media channels.

The proposals also include "further economic measures against the Russian energy and mining sector, including a ban on new mining investments in Russia," it says.

Von der Leyen's proposals also include a ban on exports of unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia. Additionally, the EU is seeking to impose new export controls and restrictions, particularly for dual-use goods, including "key chemicals, nerve agents, electronics and IT components."

The Financial Times said with reference to sources on Tuesday that the EU expected to discuss a new package of sanctions within the next few days and approve it by the end of next week.