Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said that Raiffeisen Bank supports sanctions against the Russian Federation and has not invested in the Russian economy since the occupation of Crimea, and the Austrian government does not intend to ignore attempts to circumvent anti-Russian sanctions by anyone.
“Raiffeisen Bank has branches not only in Russia, but also here in Ukraine. Raiffeisen supported our sanctions right away, but we knew from the very beginning, from the time Russia annexed Crimea, that you can’t invest in Russia because it’s risky investments, and there is no support from the Austrian government for Raiffeisen Bank, although it is a very big investor in Ukraine as well. And Raiffeisen Bank itself will try to make efforts to ensure that all sanctions are observed,” Nehammer said at a joint press conference with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday in Kyiv, answering a journalist’s question about the work of Raiffeisen Bank in the Russian Federation.
“In Austria, any attempts to circumvent these sanctions will be punished. We must act with strong, powerful sanctions against Russia. Not only the Austrian Raiffeisen Bank, but also other firms and banks are losing large investments. But the losses that the Austrian economy suffers from sanctions , although they amount to billions of euros, are incomparable with the pain and grief experienced by the Ukrainian people,” the Austrian Chancellor added.
He stressed that Austria will increase sanctions against the Russian Federation until the war is over. “Militarily, we are neutral, but we can never put up with crimes and will help those who suffer from injustice. This means that Austria fully supports the sanctions of the European Union, imposes them on itself, and Austria also supports Ukraine with its capabilities. “What is most needed from Ukraine’s point of view. Within the framework of the European Union, we will further strengthen sanctions until the war is over. And now another package of sanctions has been adopted, and this will not be the last one, with the aim of stopping the war,” Nehammer said. .
According to him, the new package of sanctions will have to be “more powerful and more accurate” – “Russian weapons factories will not receive electronic parts, and without these parts drones will not be able to fly, and weapons will not be able to be used.”
“We will continue on this path, and in the European Union everyone is united, and we will make these sanctions stronger than ever before in the EU. We understand that they are not enough, because people are dying, but we need to these sanctions should be imposed in such a quantity that they are directed against those who cause these sanctions. And all partners in the EU want to stop this war,” the German Chancellor stressed.
He also noted that Austria is making efforts to create effective humanitarian corridors, including for the evacuation of people from Mariupol, Donetsk region, and also promised to support refugees from Ukraine. “There is a lot of solidarity in Austria with those people who were expelled from Ukraine by the war. There is a lot of willingness to help, and this is very common for Austrian society – people want to help and help if they can. I promise that this will not stop,” Nehammer said. .
The European Union, as part of the next package of sanctions, has limited the import of fertilizers from Russia.
The restrictions do not apply to deliveries before July 10 under contracts concluded before April 9 this year, according to the Official Journal of the EU.
From July 10, the European Union introduces quotas on the import of a number of Russian fertilizers for a period of one year. The quota for the import of potassium chloride (code 3104 20) will be 837.57 thousand tons, complex and other fertilizers containing potassium (codes 3105 20, 3105 60 and 3105 90) – 1 million 577.807 thousand tons.
The size of quotas can be adjusted by the European Commission.
There are no restrictions on the import of other types of fertilizers.
Earlier on Friday, the European Commission announced that as part of a new package of sanctions against Russia, it would take “measures to counteract the supply of potassium chloride from Belarus” bypassing the sanctions.
EU, FERTILIZERS, IMPORT, QUOTAS, RUSSIA
The EU authorities blocked the assets of 29.5 billion euros of individuals and organizations included in the sanctions lists for the Russian Federation and Belarus, according to a press release issued by the European Commission on Friday.
“More than half of EU Member States have reported asset freeze measures to the European Commission. They have reported a €29.5 billion asset freeze, including yachts, helicopters, real estate, and €6.7 billion worth of art,” the report reads. document.
It also refers to the blocking of relevant transactions in the amount of 196 billion euros.
The press release clarifies that such measures are being taken within the framework of the working group created by the EU in March to block the assets of sanctioned persons and structures. The European Commission recalled that on Friday the members of the group are meeting with representatives of the United States and Ukraine to discuss cooperation in this area and that such meetings will continue to be regular.
The leadership of Ukraine will continue to seek the introduction of an oil embargo on Russia.
“Unfortunately, we have not reached the oil embargo yet. We will continue to work to convince our partners of the oil embargo,” the head of the President’s Office wrote on Tuesday in his Telegram channel.
Thus, he commented on the introduction by the European Union of the fifth package of sanctions against the Russian Federation.
Earlier, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced proposals for new sanctions of the fifth EU package against the Russian Federation.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is moving ahead with its plans to exclude the Russian Federation and Belarus from receiving funding for projects. The EBRD Board of Governors have approved taking firm action against the Russian Federation and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine. Access by the Russian Federation and Belarus to the resources of the Bank is to be formally suspended with immediate effect. This means that there can be no new financing of projects or technical cooperation activities in either country. Furthermore, the Bank avails itself of all rights to suspend or cancel further disbursements of funding on existing projects.
The EBRD has announced already that it is in the process of closing its Resident Offices in both Moscow and Minsk.
The EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, said: “It is sad that we have come to this point after so many years of cooperation and activity in both countries. However, the Russian-led war on Ukraine has left us no choice but to show our condemnation with more than just words. Actions are required, too, so that the two countries are in no doubt that we believe they have undermined the values which are important to us as an institution and to the international community.”
The EBRD is now focusing on delivering a €2 billion Resilience and Livelihoods Support Package for Ukraine and for other countries in the region directly impacted by the refugee crisis. The measures are designed to help companies and communities. Funding is being made available rapidly to enable Ukrainian firms to receive liquidity support, deferral of loans and trade finance. Where possible, businesses will be helped to relocate so that their operations can continue. Once conditions allow, the Bank has also pledged to take part in a reconstruction programme for Ukraine.
The EBRD is also ready to support all its countries of operations to deal with the consequences of the war and its economic impact.
The German government calls for an investigation into the crimes of the Russian military and tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation, reports DW. “We must investigate these crimes of the Russian military with all severity,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday, after the publication of evidence of war crimes committed by Russian invaders in the Kiev region. He noted that “criminals and those who gave them orders must be consistently held accountable.” Scholz also appealed to Moscow with a call to “finally agree to a ceasefire and stop hostilities.” At the same time, the German cabinet calls for tougher sanctions against the Russian Federation. “(…) We will tighten sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine even more strongly in its defense,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock tweeted. The head of the Ministry of Economy and Vice-Chancellor of Germany, Robert Habek, also supports the tightening of sanctions against the Russian Federation. “This terrible war crime cannot go unanswered (the crimes of the Russian military in the Kiev region – IF),” he said in an interview with the German publication Bild. He also noted that “increased punitive measures against Russia are already under development” with partners in the EU.
