A long list of 91 pages, including a series of Chinese companies that allegedly supported and provided economic support to Russia, which is involved in the conflict against Ukraine, is in the hands of the member states of the European Union, which are now hypothesizing sanctions, serious measures against China to stop aid and mainly technological support of the Russian military industry. If approved, it would be an unprecedented decision.

The information was made public by The Guardian, which recreates step by step the process that will lead to the historic decision. The idea is to stop the military industry controlled by Putin and supported by Chinese aid, La Stampa quoted.

The dossier in the hands of EU member states includes three companies from mainland China, four from Hong Kong and one from India. As EU, UK and US officials prepare to meet in Brussels on Wednesday, a source told The Guardian that additional tools are needed to ensure Moscow cannot circumvent existing restrictions.

“Russia is doing everything to avoid sanctions, but we need to do more. We need to eliminate exit routes, identify ways of bypassing and further reducing revenues,” a source told The Guardian.

The EU is particularly concerned that technologies are sold outside the bloc and then end up in Russia via third countries. As such, the EU’s diplomatic service proposed adding around 20 companies, including three from mainland China, one in Turkey and one in India, to a blacklist of exports of those who provide support to the Russian military.

Two Russian shipping companies accused of transporting weapons from North Korea to the Danube, a port east of Vladivostok, are also the subject of a list of 13 proposed sanctions against Russia to be discussed in Brussels.

That would mean banning companies from the bloc’s 27 countries from doing business with them as Brussels steps up efforts to crack down on Russian sanctions evasion.

The EU has already imposed similar export bans on more than 600 companies, including three from Hong Kong, as well as companies from countries such as Armenia, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

Last year, Brussels offered to add five Chinese companies to the list, but this proposal was abandoned due to opposition from Beijing and the reluctance of some EU capitals.

Sources say that the companies involved were thoroughly investigated and that this time there was a dialogue with China. Western allies estimate that existing sanctions have already cost Russia $400bn (£315m) in revenue.

However, with Vladimir Putin significantly increasing military supplies and the EU lagging behind, they need sanctions to tighten. Other significant sanctions should include greater and stronger pressure on Russian officials and oligarchs through asset freezes. (Rador Radio Romania)