EU imposes sanctions on 160 Russians over aggression in Ukraine

BRUSSELS,Belgium – The Council  of the European Union decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional 160 individuals in respect of the ongoing Russian military aggression against Ukraine and for actions that seemed to be undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

“We are adding today to our sanctions list further key individuals and their family members who have a significant economic role in supporting Putin’s regime, and benefit financially from the system. They are now subject to asset freeze and travel bans. Our message is clear: Those who enable the invasion of Ukraine pay a price for their actions”, Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said in a statement.

The listed individuals and entity include 14 oligarchs and prominent businesspeople involved in key economic sectors providing a substantial source of revenue to the Russian Federation – notably in the metallurgical, agriculture, pharmaceutical, telecom and digital industries -, as well as their family members.

“Today’s decision complements the listings of oligarchs involved in the oil, gas, banking, media and transport sectors, decided by the Council on 23 and 28 February 2022”, he said.

Others include 146 members of the Russian Federation Council, who ratified the government decisions of the ‘Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Donetsk People’s Republic’ and the ‘Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance between the Russian Federation and the Luhansk People’s Republic’.

Altogether, EU restrictive measures now apply to a total of 862 individuals and 53 entities, the statement noted, stressing that those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and that companies are forbidden from making funds available to them.

“Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories”, the statement said.

Together with the sectoral measures targeting Belarus and Russia also adopted by the Council today, these new listings, the EU said close loopholes and consolidate existing measures as agreed by the EU to respond to Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

The European Union, the statement said condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the involvement of Belarus in this aggression.

The European Union demanded that Russia should immediately cease its military actions, unconditionally withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders.

“The European Council calls on Russia and Russia-backed armed formations to respect international humanitarian law and stop their systematic information manipulation, including disinformation campaigns and cyber-attacks”, the EU said.

It explained that the use of force and coercion to change borders has no place in the 21st century and that tensions and conflict should be resolved exclusively through dialogue and diplomacy.

It noted that the EU will continue cooperating closely with neighbours and reiterates its unwavering support for, and commitment to, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and of the Republic of Moldova.

“It will continue strong coordination with partners and allies, within the UN, OSCE, NATO and the G7. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entity, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU”, the statement said.