G7 leaders plan to impose new sanctions on Russia’s energy and trade sectors, according to sources.

G7 Leaders Plan to Tighten Sanctions on Russia

Leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations are set to announce new measures aimed at tightening sanctions on Russia at their summit in Japan this week. The measures will target sanctions evasion involving third countries, and seek to undermine Russia’s future energy production and curb trade that supports Russia’s military. The Biden administration has previously pushed G7 allies to reverse the group’s sanctions approach, which today allows all goods to be sold to Russia unless they are explicitly blacklisted. The change could make it harder for Moscow to find gaps in the sanctions regime.

New Sanctions to Target Energy and Exports

• The new measures announced by the G7 leaders will target sanctions evasion involving third countries.
• The measures will seek to undermine Russia’s future energy production and curb trade that supports Russia’s military.

Adjusting the Approach to Sanctions

U.S. officials also expect G7 members will agree to adjust their approach to sanctions so that, at least for certain categories of goods, all exports are automatically banned unless they are on a list of approved items. While the allies have not agreed to apply the more-restrictive approach broadly, U.S. officials expect that in the most sensitive areas for Russia’s military G7 members will adopt a presumption that exports are banned unless they are on a designated list. The exact areas where these new rules would apply are still being discussed.

Ukraine’s Western Allies Hunt for New Ways to Tighten Sanctions on Russia

The G7 leaders’ action on Russia comes as Ukraine’s Western allies hunt for new ways to tighten already restrictive sanctions on Russia, from export controls to visa restrictions and an oil price cap, which have put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin but not halted the full-scale invasion that started over a year ago. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is expected to address G7 leaders, either virtually or in-person, during their summit in Hiroshima.

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