EU to Ban Russian Aluminium Imports in New Sanctions Package
By Julia Payne
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission intends to propose a ban on imports of Russian primary aluminium in its 16th package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, European Union diplomats said on Tuesday.
EU countries hope to pass a 16th package of restrictions in February to mark the third anniversary of the war.
The Commission held informal meetings with EU countries on Tuesday to discuss details of the forthcoming package, the sources said. One source added that the ban would be phased in.
In a letter late last year, 10 EU countries proposed further sanctions on Russian trade, including its output of metals such as aluminium.
So far the 27-member bloc has banned aluminium products including wire, tubes and foil.
The United States and Britain banned the import of metals produced in Russia in 2024, but the EU declined to follow suit owing to opposition from some member states.
(Reporting by Julia Payne; Editing by David Goodman)
