Switzerland expands its list of sanctions against Russia

Switzerland expands its list of sanctions against Russia Keystone-SDA

Switzerland has extended the list of sanctions against Russia. It is thus adopting the changes decided by the European Union (EU) due to Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.

The Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, which is responsible for sanctions, announced that the changes will come into force at 6pm on Tuesday. Switzerland has also sanctioned 69 natural persons and 47 companies and organisations.

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The newly sanctioned persons include in particular business people, propagandists, members of the armed forces and the judiciary as well as persons responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children, the statement continued. Members of the domestic intelligence service of the Russian Federation are also on the list.

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The newly sanctioned companies and organisations are mainly Russian arms companies and companies that are actively involved in circumventing sanctions in the financial and trade sectors, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research wrote. The number of sanctioned persons, companies and organisations totals more than 2,200.

The EU issued its 14th sanctions package on June 24. Further measures from this package in the energy sector, financial sector and goods sector are currently under review.

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Switzerland has largely adopted the EU sanctions against Russia. However, it has not joined the sanctions against four Russian media outlets. The Federal Council was of the opinion that it would be more effective to counter untrue and harmful statements with facts rather than banning them.

Translated from German by DeepL/amva

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