Eyes on Belgium as some EU states push for Russian diamond ban

BRUSSELS – TheEuropean Union must stop importingdiamonds from Russia, five of the bloc’s 27 countries said in a joint proposal seen by Reuters, as theEUprepares new sanctions against Moscow for waging war against Ukraine.

TheEU, which has so far implemented six rounds of sanctions since Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, needs unanimity to agree any suchbanthatBelgium- home to the world’s biggestdiamondtrading hub Antwerp – has rejected in the past.

The bloc was spurred into fresh action after President Vladimir Putin ordered a partial military mobilization last week and moved to annex parts of eastern Ukraine.

TheEU’s executiveEuropean Commission is expected to present a fo…

Keep on reading: Eyes on Belgium as some EU states push for Russian diamond ban