The European Union is proposing to sanction several Chinese firms that it claims helped Russian companies develop attack drones that were deployed against Ukraine. The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, is also looking into imposing restrictions on additional Russian oil tankers to curb Moscow’s ability to circumvent existing restrictive measures, according to documents seen by Bloomberg. The proposals come as Group of Seven foreign ministers meeting in Italy this week are set to pledge “appropriate measures” against China and other countries that are supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported Monday. The EU measures would require the backing of all 27 member states. Some of the firms have already been sanctioned by the US and UK. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning denied the allegations and said that China was opposed to unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law. “We have never provided any weapons and we have strictly controlled dual-use item, including the export of drones,” she said at a press briefing Tuesday in Beijing. “We will take necessary measures to uphold the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.”

Full report : European Union proposes to sanction Chinese firms for selling drones to Russia.