The French presidency said the EU will implement a blockade on coal imports from Russia, a country that launched a military operation in Ukraine in past February, following its accusation of attacking the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.

Other sanctions disclosed by France on social networks reflect the ban on exporting high-tech goods to Russia and new limitations for banks in that country, which accuses the West of using Ukraine as a spearhead to extend NATO’s presence in Eastern Europe.

Likewise, France announced that the EU will close ports to Russian ships, as part of the fifth package of measures to stifle Moscow.

It is estimated that the new package of sanctions would cause Russia billions of euros in losses.

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