EU plans to ban the supply of Playstation 5 and Xbox game consoles to Russia

The European Union (EU) intends to ban shipments of Playstation 5 and Xbox game consoles to Russia over the alleged possible use of these technologies by the Russian military to control drones, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said on January 28.

"We are really looking at anything that helps Russia to conduct this <conflict>. Even elements such as joysticks for game consoles, because the Russian military is using them to control drones," the Financial Times quoted Kallas as saying.

The diplomat added that the bloc also plans to limit the supply of certain chemicals to Russia as part of the 16th package of sanctions. It is specified that the new sanctions package will come into force on February 22, 2025.

All major console makers - Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo - suspended sales in Russia after the start of a special military operation in Ukraine.

Left in prolongation: why Hungary did not veto anti-Russian sanctions

EU foreign ministers discuss further pressure on Russia and relations with the US under Trump

On January 27, Kallas officially confirmed the agreement to extend anti-Russian sanctions for six months. In turn, Hungarian Foreign Affairs and External Economic Relations Minister Peter Szijjarto said Budapest had received the required energy security guarantees from the European Commission, without which it would not agree to extend sanctions against Russia.

The next day, January 28, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that there were no innovations in the EU's decision to extend anti-Russian sanctions for six months. He also called the sanctions against Russia illegal.

Western countries increased sanctions pressure on Russia after the start of the special operation to protect civilians in Donbass, which was announced on February 24, 2022.