EU Tightens Sanctions Against Russia

The Council of the European Union has adopted its 12th package of sanctions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, adding tens of other Russians and entities to the sanctions list.

As part of its measures, the Council has decided to impose sanctions on an additional 61 individuals and 86 entities that have carried out actions that undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

The new listings mainly target the military and defence sectors as well as 12 Belarusians who supported Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

In line with the current rules that the EU has, all those who become part of its sanctions list are subject to a travel ban, meaning that they cannot enter or transit through the bloc.

Moreover, individuals and entities part of the list are also subject to an asset freeze and the citizens and companies of the EU are prohibited from making funds available to them.

Those designated are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and 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 additional restrictions also aim to prevent Russia from buying equipment for its military.

Furthermore, the sanctions also include a ban on the import of diamonds from Russia from the beginning of January as well as a gradual ban on imports from third countries from March.

All individuals and entities who have been subject to the sanctions list will now face restrictions on all EU Member States.

In addition to the above-mentioned, restrictions will also be applied against the Russian IT sector and actors spreading disinformation and propaganda, including Tsargrad TV Channel and Spas TV Channel.

Supporting the EU’s decision, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna, said that restrictions against Russia should be kept in place for as long as Russia does not take a step back.

Estonia and the European Union continue to work to ensure that the sanctions are as strong and effective as possible and affect those sectors from which Russia receives the most support in financing aggression against Ukraine.

The same stressed that Russia and its leadership should be held accountable for their actions.

Several other EU countries have also welcomed the EU’s decision, saying that restrictions should be strengthened.