The Council of EU Member States has adopted a new package of sanctions targeting Russia, with specific provisions for the transport sector. Here are the highlights:
Russian participation of 25% or more: The ban on the transport of goods by road within the EU, including transit, now extends to “European companies in which Russian individuals or legal entities hold 25% or more shares”.
Shareholder transparency: Road transport companies will have to disclose their shareholding. The measure aims to make it more difficult for Russian citizens to circumvent sanctions by registering as road hauliers in the EU, while reducing competition for European companies.
Pre-existing ban: Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, trucks and trailers registered in Russia were already banned from driving in the EU.
Prevention of sanctions evasion: The sanctions package also includes provisions to prevent the use of EU facilities in the transshipment of Russian liquefied natural gas to third countries.
Sanctions against Belarus: The representatives of the 27 also agreed on a set of sanctions against Belarus, an ally of Vladimir Putin's Russia. In the future, exports of trucks, SUVs and pickups to this country will be banned to combat sanctions evasion against Russia.