Following up on the informal meeting of the EU heads of state and government on 10-11 March, the Council on 15 March decided to impose a fourth package of economic and individual sanctions in respect of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. The Council decided in particular to:

• prohibit all transactions with certain state-owned enterprises,

• prohibit the provision of any credit rating services, as well as access to any subscription services in relation to credit rating activities, to any Russian person or entity,

• expand the list of persons connected to Russia’s defence and industrial base, on whom tighter export restrictions are imposed regarding dual-use goods and goods and technology which might contribute to Russia’s technological enhancement of its defence and security sector,

• prohibit new investments in the Russian energy sector, as well as a to introduce a comprehensive export restriction on equipment, technology and services for the energy industry,

• introduce further trade restrictions concerning iron and steel, as well as luxury goods