The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions for the first time on individuals and organizations deemed responsible for Russia’s attempts to interfere in political processes abroad.
“These measures are in response to Russia’s malicious actions and lack of respect for a rules-based international order and international law,” an EU press release said.
Those hit with sanctions ‘undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its Member States, their security, stability, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organizations and third countries. [non-EU] countries through hybrid activities of different kinds.”
The targets include a unit of Russia’s military intelligence “known for its involvement in foreign assassinations and destabilization activities such as bombings and cyber attacks across Europe.”
The new measures target several individuals “who played a key role in a Russian intelligence operation against the German Federal Intelligence Service (BND), passing highly classified information to the FSB,” the statement said.
Russian interference in Africa is also pursued by the new sanctions, as they add two disinformation networks operating in several African regions and targeting Artem Kureev, the successor to the late Yevgeny Prigozhin as head of the Wagner mercenary group in Africa.
15th round of sanctions
Also on Monday, EU foreign ministers signed the 15th round of sanctions on the bloc since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The new economic measures are intended to prevent the circumvention of already existing EU sanctions and weaken Russia’s military and defense industry.
“With each new round of sanctions we are improving their effectiveness and closing gaps, and we will continue to do so, as part of our ongoing commitment to support Ukraine and its people,” said EU Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque.
The formal approval by foreign ministers meeting in Brussels follows an agreement reached by EU ambassadors last week.
Fifty-two ships were added to the list of vessels suspected of being part of the so-called Russian “shadow fleet” of oil tankers and subject to a ban on a wide range of services and access to ports.
“These ships are involved in high-risk shipping practices when transporting Russian oil or petroleum products, arms deliveries, grain theft or supporting Russia’s energy sector,” a press release said.
In addition, another 32 companies are targeted by export restrictions because they “contribute to the technological improvement of Russia’s defense and security sector,” the EU said.
In addition to twenty Russian companies, the targeted companies are located in China, India, Iran, Serbia and the United Arab Emirates.
Another 84 individuals and entities have been hit with EU asset freezes and travel bans “for actions that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized the importance of the new sanctions package.
Addressing his EU colleagues via video link, Sybiha “urged continued pressure on Moscow, which would increase the costs of the war for the aggressor and strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities,” he wrote on the social media platform X.
Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, sounds the bell to open her first meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council. Sierakowski Frederic v European Council/dpa
A look at the meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council. Sierakowski Frederic v European Council/dpa
