Switzerland Expands Sanctions Against Russia and Belarus, Adding 115 Individuals and 46 Vessels, Synchronizing with EU's 20th Package

Switzerland has expanded sanctions against Russia and Belarus, approving a portion of the restrictions outlined in the European Union's 20th sanctions package. This was announced by the Swiss government, as reported by «European Pravda».

The country imposed sanctions against 115 individuals and legal entities. They are subject to asset freezes, a ban on the distribution of funds, and restrictions on entry and transit through Swiss territory. The sanctions list includes individuals associated with the Russian military-industrial complex and energy sector, as well as entities involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children and their ideological indoctrination. However, Switzerland is currently refraining from sanctioning seven companies from a third country that are included in the EU's adopted package of restrictions.

Bern is also joining the European Union's measures to restrict the activities of Russia's «shadow fleet», adding another 46 vessels to its sanctions list. Furthermore, the government has prohibited transactions with two Russian ports and one port located in a third country, which are used for the transportation of Russian oil products. The list of restrictions also includes 20 Russian banks and 7 financial intermediaries in other countries.

This week, ambassadors from European Union countries are expected to discuss a «mini-package» of sanctions against Russia, targeting approximately ten individuals previously protected by the government of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, as well as several Russian vessels. According to Bloomberg, the EU will propose temporarily lifting restrictions against a Chinese semiconductor supplier, included in the 20th sanctions package against Russia, due to chaos in automotive industry supply chains.