Photo: Radio Liberty
Italy and France have expressed reservations about a European Union proposal to ban former Russian military personnel from entering EU countries, according to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
The proposed restriction is part of the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Member states are expected to discuss the package on Friday.
According to the sources, Rome and Paris do not oppose barring former Russian soldiers from entering the EU, but fear that the current wording could effectively pave the way for a blanket travel ban on all Russian citizens.
They also argue that such restrictions should be introduced through visa policy rather than as part of the sanctions regime.
The discussions come as the EU seeks to increase pressure on Moscow, with Brussels believing that Ukraine's improving battlefield position creates new opportunities for peace negotiations.
Alongside the new sanctions package, European countries and the United States are stepping up diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a possible path toward ending the war.
However, the proposed sanctions package has already sparked several disagreements.
In addition to the travel ban for former Russian military personnel, the package includes a temporary freeze on the mechanism capping Russian oil prices, further measures to reduce Russia's energy revenues, and new restrictions targeting banks, cryptocurrency operators, and tankers used to circumvent existing sanctions.
According to the sources, Italy and France have also questioned a provision that would require each EU member state to determine individually whether a specific person had participated in combat, arguing that such verification would be difficult in practice.
Another point of contention is the proposed revision of the Russian oil price cap.
Last year, the EU agreed on a floating mechanism that would set the cap at 15% below the average market price of Russia's Urals crude.
However, after global oil prices surged due to the Iran–US conflict, the July review could have pushed the cap to at least $65 per barrel — above the previous $60 limit and significantly higher than the current level of $44.10.
EU officials are now considering two options: keeping the cap at its current level or restoring it to $60 per barrel.
Countries with major shipping industries have also voiced concerns over these proposals.
Meanwhile, following the US-Iran agreement to extend the ceasefire, global oil prices have already begun to decline.
Another controversial proposal would extend sanctions currently applied to vessels transporting Russian oil to tankers carrying Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The EU aims to prevent Russia from creating a new "shadow fleet" for LNG exports similar to the one it uses to ship oil.
However, several member states are calling for a longer transition period before these restrictions take effect.
Some countries have also expressed concerns over plans to limit imports of certain Russian fish products.
The package further includes trade restrictions on selected critical minerals, metals, and ores, as well as export controls targeting around two dozen companies from China, India, Turkey, and Central Asian countries that the EU says supply Russia with dual-use goods or components for weapons production.
