The European Union on Monday imposed sanctions for the first time on individuals and organizations deemed responsible for Russia’s attempts to interfere 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 Artem Kureev, the successor to the late Yevgeny Prigozhin as head of the Wagner mercenary group in Africa.
The punitive measures include asset freezes in the EU and travel bans.
A look at the meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council. Sierakowski Frederic v European Council/dpa
