Austria backs EU Russia sanctions after Ukraine removes Raiffeisen from blacklist

FILE PHOTO: The logo of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) is seen at a branch office in Vienna, Austria March 13, 2019. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Austria has given its approval to a 12th package of EU sanctions on Russia after Ukraine removed Raiffeisen Bank International from a blacklist, Ukraine's government website and an EU diplomat said on Saturday.

Austria had been pushing to remove the bank from a Ukrainian list dubbed "international sponsors of war" - which sets out to shame companies doing business in Russia and supporting the war effort by, for instance, paying taxes.