The Government of Kosovo imposes sanctions against Russia, Belarus and Iran

The Kosovo government has imposed sanctions against Russia and Belarus in connection with Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, as well as against Iran because of its missile program.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti's government voted during a meeting to approve packages 12 and 13 of European Union and United States sanctions against Russia and Belarus.

The Deputy Foreign Minister, Liza Gashi, said that the restrictive measures against Russia are about "undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as other sanctions for serious violations and abuses of human rights in Russia, related to the murder of opposition leader Alexei Navalny".

Sanctions against Iran, she said, affect persons and entities involved in "nuclear or ballistic missile activities and persons and entities that provide support to the Iranian Government."

The EU approved the 12th package of sanctions against Russia on December 18, 2023, and the 13th package on February 23.

That package includes, among other things, measures to strengthen bilateral and multilateral cooperation with third countries to prevent sanctions circumvention, further restrictions on imports and goods that generate significant income for Russia, bans on the import, purchase, or direct transfer or indirectly of diamonds.

On January 29, the bloc renewed the economic sanctions for another six months against Russia for its military aggression against Ukraine.

The 13th package includes, among other things, measures for individuals and entities for actions that violate or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.

Sanctions affect the military and defense sectors, related individuals, including those supplying weapons to the DPRK (North Korea).

The EU added 27 new entities to the list of those directly supporting Russia's military and industrial complex in its war of aggression against Ukraine.

The war in Ukraine started on February 24, 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin calls the war a "special military operation" to demilitarize Ukraine.

The West has responded to Russia, hitting the economy of this country with harsh sanctions.

As a result of the war, thousands of people have died and millions more have been displaced from their homes./ REL