EU to include over 90 cos throughout world in new sanctions against Russia

BERLIN. May 22 (Interfax) - The European Union will include more than 90 companies throughout the world in its eleventh package of sanctions against Russia in a bid to combat the circumvention of existing restrictions against the country, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on TV channel ZDF.

The EU is serious about ending the circumvention of sanctions, so it will include more than 90 companies against which it has clear evidence in the eleventh sanctions package, von der Leyen said. They supply prohibited goods to Russia directly from the EU, bypassing third countries, she said.

These measures will apply to eight companies based in China, she added.

She said earlier that the eleventh sanctions package against Russia would be primarily aimed at preventing the evasion of existing restrictions.

The Financial Times, citing sources, reported that as part of the new package of sanctions against Russia the EU proposed for the first time to impose sanctions against seven Chinese companies due to sales of goods to Russia that can be used in weapons. The draft sanctions list includes two companies based in mainland China - 3HC Semiconductors and King-Pai Technology, and five based in Hong Kong - Sinno Electronics, Sigma Technology, Asia Pacific Links, Tordan Industry and Alpha Trading Investments, the paper said.

There are also plans to impose sanctions against companies in Iran, Armenia, the United Arab Emirates and Syria for the same reasons.

The sanctions require the unanimous approval of all EU members.