Ngomhla we-19 kaFebruwari, i-European Union yavuma ukunyanzelisa umjikelo omtsha (umjikelo we-16) wezohlwayo ngokuchasene neRashiya. Nangona eUnited Statesikwiingxoxo neRussia, i-EU inethemba lokuqhubeka nokusebenzisa uxinzelelo.

Izohlwayo ezitsha ziquka ukuvalwa kokungeniswa kwe-aluminiyam yokuqala evela eRashiya. Ngaphambili, i-aluminiyam engalungiswanga evela eRashiya yayibalelwa malunga ne-6% ye-EU ye-aluminiyam epheleleyo. I-EU sele ithintele ukungeniswa kweemveliso ezithile ze-aluminium ezigqityiweyo ezivela eRashiya, kodwa umjikelo omtsha wezohlwayo wandisa ukuvalwa kokugubungela i-aluminium yokuqala, kungakhathaliseki ukuba ingeniswa ngendlela yeengots, slabs okanye billets.

Ukongeza kwi-aluminiyam yokuqala, umjikelo wamva nje wezohlwayo ukwandisa uluhlu lwabamnyama lweetanki “zethunzi” zaseRussia. Iinqanawa ezingama-73, abanikazi beenqanawa kunye nabaqhubi (kubandakanywa nabaphathi) abarhanelwa ukuba bangaba "kwi-shadow fleet" yongezwe kuluhlu lwabamnyama. Emva kolu longezelelo, inani elipheleleyo leenqanawa kuluhlu olumnyama liya kufikelela ngaphezu kwe-150.

Ngaphaya koko, izohlwayo ezitshakuya kukhokelela ekususweni kwezinyeAmaziko ebhanki aseRashiya avela kwinkqubo ye-elektroniki ye-SWIFT.

Kulindeleke ukuba iNtlanganiso yabaPhathiswa bamazwe angaphandle e-EU ibanjwe eBrussels ngoMvulo, ngoFebruwari 24 iya kwamkela ngokusemthethweni ezi zigwebo.