Switzerland enacts some other provisions of 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia
PARIS. Jan 31 (Interfax) - The Swiss government on Wednesday joined some other measures against Russia envisaged by the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia.
"On January 31, the Federal Council adopted the remaining measures of the EU's 12th sanctions package that are relevant to Switzerland with the aim of increasing their impact," according to a press release on the government website.
The new measures will take effect on February 1. They include a gradual ban on the purchase and import of Russian diamonds.
The authorities will also take additional measures to support the observance of price ceilings for the procurement of Russian oil and petroleum products and to counter attempts to bypass these restrictions.
They are also introducing a ban on the import of some goods that bring "significant revenue" to Russia, in particular, cast iron and liquefied petroleum gas.
The new measures prohibit the export and sale to Russia of chemical substances, lithium batteries, some types of engines for drones, and also machinery and parts for it.
Russian citizens and individuals who live in Russia are prohibited from running companies in Switzerland that provide crypto services.
In the services sector, there will be a ban on providing to Russian companies software for management of enterprises and individual design and production. An exception will be made for the provision of services to Russian subsidiaries of Swiss companies.
In December 2023, the Swiss authorities announced that the country would join some of the measures envisaged by the 12th package of EU sanctions against Russia. The Ministry of Economy then expanded the sanctions to 61 individuals and 86 companies and organizations.
The EU introduced its 12th sanctions package on December 18. The package bans the import of Russian diamonds, including those treated in third countries or transited by Russia. The EU also decided to extend its ban on transit of EU goods to third countries through Russia to any goods that could be used for military purposes.
In addition, the EU has banned Russian citizens from holding executive positions in EU based companies, in particular, those relating to the provision of crypto wallet services to Russians, on its territory.
The EU sanctioned 61 individuals, including Altai governor Oleg Khorokhordin and Bashkortostan governor Radiy Khabirov, members of the Central Elections Commission, and Ilya Medvedev, son of Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council.
Among the sanctioned 86 Russian companies and organizations are JSC Spetsmash, Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant, JSC Uraltransmash, Federal State Enterprise Perm Powder Plant, LLC OBORONLOGISTIKA, and LLC Rostekhkomplekt, and two television channels, Spas and Tsargrad.