US, EU, G-7, to announce more sanctions on Russia

Russia is to face another rash of restrictions as the United States, the European Union and the G7, plan to announce stricter new sanctions against it on Wednesday, days after the bodies of many civilians were found outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

The penalties will include a ban on all new investment in Russia, increased sanctions on financial institutions and state-owned enterprises in Russia, and sanctions on Russian government officials and their family members.

“You can expect that the sanctions will target Russian government officials, their family members, Russian-owned financial institutions, also state-owned enterprises.

“It’s a part of the continuation of our efforts to put consequences in place, hold Russian officials accountable,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters.

Earlier on Tuesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, had said the EU was proposing to ban most Russian ships and trucks from entering the bloc, as well as Russian coal imports.

He said the EU would also push ahead with a debate on Russian oil which she said was a sensitive issue in Europe, where many countries are dependent on Russian fuel imports.

The EU sanctions include expanding export controls on technologies used in the Russian defence sector and other key industries, as well as restrictions on sales of equipment that can be used to liquefy natural gas.

They have also proposed sanctioning more entities, including banks such as VTB Bank PJSC, that have been cut off from the Swift global payments messaging system but are not yet fully sanctioned.

Also on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while giving his first address to the UN Security Council, shared details of alleged Russian atrocities in his country.

“They killed entire families, adults and children, and they try to burn the bodies.

“Civilians were crushed by tanks while sitting in their cars in the middle of the road. And just for their pleasure, they cut off limbs … slashed their throats,” Zelenskyy said.

EU demands probe of alleged harassment of Uganda opposition elements

The European Union has demanded an immediate probe of alleged continued harassment of politicians and civil society actors in Uganda after last week’s general election.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the EU expressed concern at the continued suppression of opposition leaders by President Yoweri Museveni’s administration.

Museveni was re-elected for the sixth term in office last week.

“The government of Uganda has been urged henceforth to restrain its security agencies, investigate claims of abuses, and bring to account all those responsible for violations,” the EU Council of Ministers said in the statement.

The EU added that the shutdown of internet disrupted the work of journalists, observers and polling agents expected to monitor the election.

The European body’s reaction came days after heavily armed Ugandan soldiers stationed outside the home of opposition presidential candidate, Bobi Wine, blocked the United States Ambassador in the country from visiting the candidate.

NEW LOCKDOWN IN GERMANY

Coronavirus: New lockdown for Germany as France awaits decision

Germany will have a November lockdown but schools and shops will stay open, Chancellor Angela Merkel has said, calling for a “major national effort” to fight coronavirus.

Social contacts will be limited to two households, and bars, catering and leisure facilities will shut.

France is also expected to announce new lockdown measures in the coming hours.

Covid daily deaths have risen above 500 there and officials say everything must be done so it “does not overwhelm us”.

EU special adviser Prof Peter Piot has warned that some 1,000 Europeans are now dying every day from the virus.

Night curfews are in force in several countries, including for 46 million people in France. However, one minister has complained that they have failed to halt social interactions.

“[The curfew] has simply shifted them – instead of getting together at 21:00, people meet up at six,” the unnamed minister was quoted as saying.

The German government is keen to enable families and friends to meet at Christmas, but daily infections have soared to a new high of 14,964, with 85 more deaths reported in the latest 24-hour period.

Ireland imposed tight measures last week with the aim of reopening before Christmas and Italy shut cinemas and gyms this week in an attempt to “save Christmas”. Now the UK government is under pressure to act too.

A broad but limited German lockdown will now start on Monday 2 November, under terms agreed during a video conference involving Mrs Merkel and the 16 state premiers:

  • Schools and kindergartens will remain open
  • Social contacts will be limited to two households with a maximum of 10 people and tourism will be halted
  • Bars will close and restaurants will be limited to takeaways
  • Tattoo and massage parlours will shut
  • Smaller companies badly hit by the lockdown will be reimbursed with up to 75% of their November 2019 takings
  • Mrs Merkel and the state premiers are expected to reconvene on 11 November to reassess the situation

“We have to act now,” the chancellor explained, to avoid a national emergency.