The European Union plans new sanctions against Russia that include four Chinese institutions

European diplomatic sources reported that the nineteenth package of European sanctions against Russia will include two Chinese oil refineries and a trading company described as helping to circumvent the sanctions. The sources did not disclose additional details about the company's recent activities, which are focused on sectors outside of oil.

The member states have agreed on the final text of the package, but it has not yet been adopted due to reservations from Slovakia regarding some provisions not directly related to the sanctions, as the approval of any package requires the consensus of all member states. Diplomats expect the package to be adopted before the end of this week.

This decision comes after the European Union monitored some Chinese refineries since last summer, amid suspicions about their purchase of Russian oil through what is known as Moscow's "shadow fleet".

China had previously rejected Western and American demands to reduce its trade dealings with Russia, including the purchase of Russian oil.