This is reported by the Financial Times, citing a senior EU official for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas.
Kallas explained that the Russian armed forces could utilize gaming consoles to operate drones.
The three largest gaming console manufacturers — American company Microsoft and Japanese firms Nintendo and Sony — halted sales in Russia back in early March 2022. The EU ban will target traders supplying equipment, including used devices, to Russia.
Meanwhile, China remains the main supplier of consoles to Russia, having sold more than $120 million worth of consoles there in 2024. As noted by FT, this figure has sharply increased compared to 2022, when China supplied $30 million worth of consoles to Russia.
FT points out that after Western sanctions limited Russia's direct access to technology, the country began sourcing necessary components from household appliances. According to Western and Ukrainian intelligence, Moscow has utilized key semiconductors from refrigerators and other domestic appliances for its missiles and drones.
Additionally, Kallas noted that the new sanctions list will include chemicals essential for the Russian military industry. New restrictions on the import of liquefied gas are also planned.
Six Northern European and Baltic countries are also insisting on lowering the price cap on Russian oil. The G7 has set a ceiling of $60 per barrel to reduce Russia's revenues.
Sanctions require unanimous approval from the 27 EU member states. Earlier, Hungary threatened to veto due to Ukraine's termination of the gas transit agreement. However, subsequently, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated that his country received guarantees from the EU regarding energy security.