Ursula von der Leyen reveals package of further EU sanctions against Russia

The second package of the European Union’s anti-Russian sanctions affects 70% of the Russian banking sector and key state-owned companies, including defense enterprises, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels on Friday.

"First, this package includes financial sanctions, targeting 70% of the Russian banking market and key state owned companies, including in defense," she said at a news conference following an emergency EU summit on Ukraine.

In her words, the EU will limit Russia’s access to advanced technologies and semiconductors.

"We will hit Russia’s access to important technologies it needs to build a prosperous future, such as semiconductors or cutting-edge technologies," von der Leyen said.

As part of sanctions targeting Russia’s energy sector, the EU will also prohibit exports of "instruments <…> that are crucial to refine the oil."

"These instruments are built in Europe, they are unique and cannot be replaced globally by other suppliers," she added.