The European Union has added Chinese individuals and companies to a sanctions list that will see them hit with travel bans and asset freezes for their role in supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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At a meeting in Brussels on Monday, foreign ministers from the bloc’s 27 member states greenlit a package that included “fully fledged listings” for seven Chinese citizens and companies.
It marks the first time such a punishment has been used in relation to China’s relations with Russia. In previous sanctions packages, mainland Chinese and Hong Kong-registered entities have been added to a blacklist banning them from buying sensitive goods from the EU, but had not been added to the sanctions register.
During a press conference after the meeting, the bloc’s new top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, hinted that more sanctions may be on the way.
“Helping Russia in this war has a cost for China and we have to be very clear on this because we should not make this mistake that we have done with Russia … [we have] to really be strong here and show our unity,” Kallas said.
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When she recently visited Ukraine, Kyiv officials said China was giving Russia “the satellites that are provided for killer drones”, she added.