The Albanian government has introduced this Sunday sanctions against Russia, which has been occupying Ukraine for several days. In line with the European Union and the United States, Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka said that Albania has decided to implement some measures for Russian individuals and entities. 

The Albanian government has also banned travel to its territory from persons listed by the EU, who are diplomats and officials. 

"We join the individual sanctions for freezing the assets of individuals ranging from the Russian President, the Russian Foreign Minister, members of the National Security Council of the Russian Federation, who supported the immediate recognition by Russia of the two areas. controlled non-governmental organizations of Donetsk and Luhansk, as independent entities and members of the Russian State Duma, which ratified the government decision of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and these two entities. 

In total, these restrictive measures will apply to 654 individuals and 52 entities. In addition, it has been decided to ban travel to the Albanian territory for persons listed by the EU, while regarding visa policy, the cancellation of facilitation policies for the movement of diplomats, other Russian officials and business people is under consideration", said Olta Xhaçka. 

The Albanian government will also apply economic sanctions to finance, energy, transport and technology. The Energy Sector will prohibit the sale, supply, transfer or export to Russia of specific goods and technologies for oil refining and will impose restrictions on the provision of relevant services. 

"In the transport sector, the export that covers goods and technology in the aviation and space industry will be banned, as well as there will be a ban on the provision of security and reinsurance and maintenance services related to those goods and technology. Provision of relevant technical and financial assistance will also be prohibited. 

Further restrictions on exports of dual-use goods and technology will be imposed on the technology sector, as well as restrictions on exports of certain goods and technology, which may contribute to Russia's technological improvement in its defence sector and security. This will include products such as semiconductors or the latest technologies," Xhaçka said.