European Union diplomats have agreed to add Roman Abramovich to the EU list of Russian billionaires sanctioned following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, two diplomatic sources said on Monday.

Envoys were expected to reconvene at 11am on Monday to adopt the measure and a further set of economic sanctions against Russia, a report by Reuters said.

The sanctions will come into effect after publication of the EU’s official journal, which usually happens within hours or the
day following formal approval.

The Chelsea football club owner was sanctioned in the UK last week with the British government saying the move was due to Mr Abramovich having a “close relationship for decades” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The new sanctions by the EU will hit people active in the Russian steel industry and others who provide financial services, military products and technology to the Russian state, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Friday.

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