The proposal of the head of the European Commission, Ursula Fond der Leyen, regarding the 11th package of sanctions against Russia was sent to member states and aimed at closing loopholes in Russia's trade restrictions.

 This was stated by a representative of the European Commission, Reuters reports.

 According to agency sources, the European Commission has proposed blacklisting several Chinese companies and restricting exports to countries believed to be involved in circumventing Russia's trade restrictions.

 Several diplomatic sources said on Monday that the 27 EU member states that must agree to the new sanctions will hold their first discussion on the proposal on Wednesday.

 The proposal is aimed at tackling the circumvention of existing trade restrictions through third countries after the EU named China, Turkey, the UAE, Central Asian countries and the Caucasus as potential culprits, the sources said.

 According to diplomats familiar with the proposal, the assets of seven companies in China would be blocked in the EU, in what would be the bloc's first punishment of China for accusing Beijing of Russia's war in Ukraine.

 Chinese Foreign Ministry official Wang Wenbin said on Monday that China urges the EU not to follow the "wrong path" and that it is ready to take measures to protect its rights and interests.

 "China opposes actions that use Sino-Russian cooperation as an excuse to impose illegal sanctions or long-arm jurisdiction against China," Wang said at another press conference.

The Financial Times reported on Monday that the companies were mainland China-based 3HC Semiconductors and King-Pai Technology, as well as Hong Kong-based Sinno Electronics, Sigma Technology, Asia Pacific Links, Tordan Industry and Alpha Trading Investments.

 According to the sources, among those who will be added to the blacklist will also be persons suspected of involvement in the deportation of Ukrainian children and the transfer of cultural property to Russia from the war zone in Ukraine.

 In the 11th package of EU sanctions against Russia, the bloc will introduce a new mechanism to reduce its exports to third countries that are believed to be involved in circumventing sanctions against Russia.

 "At the moment, these will be empty vessels, which can then be filled as needed. The whole point is to never use it, first go to diplomatic contact and offer technical assistance," said one of the EU diplomats.

 Some sources suggested that discussions between member countries could be long and tense, as the proposal could disrupt economic and political ties, including with major powers.

 "I wouldn't expect a decision on Wednesday or next week. Member states will have a lot of ideas about whether this is a good way to go or not, how it will actually affect them," said a second diplomatic source.

 It will be recalled that the European Union is discussing a new mechanism of sanctions against third countries that do not do enough to prevent Russia from evading sanctions. This is especially true for those that cannot account for jumps in trade in key goods or technologies.