The European Council decided to impose restrictive measures on an additional 54 individuals and 10 entities in response to the ongoing Russian military aggression against Ukraine. This decision comes in addition to the “maintenance and alignment” package of sanctions adopted by the Council on 21 July. Photo: Conference in Brussels, credit: Belgium European Union
Czech Republic, July 25 (BD) – Altogether, EU restrictive measures now apply to a total of 1,212 individuals and 108 entities, targeted for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. The named individuals are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.
“We are listing another major Russian bank, Sberbank, and preventing it from conducting transactions outside Russia. We are also adding further individuals involved in Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine,” said Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The listed individuals include senior members of the political and cultural establishment, such as members of the State and provincial Dumas, and local politicians including the mayor of Moscow. Also listed are high ranking military leaders and staff, politicians appointed in Ukrainian territories invaded by Russia, members of the Nightwolves, a nationalist motorcycle club, propagandists, and leading businesspeople.
The sanctioned entities include Sberbank, the Nightwolves, companies operating in the military sector or the shipbuilding industry or involved in the theft of Ukrainian grain, and a variety of entities that have disseminated pro-Kremlin and anti-Ukrainian propaganda.
In order to hold the Syrian regime accountable for its role in Ukraine, the Council is also listing an additional four Syrian individuals and one entity within a separate sanctions regime. These include a high ranking military official involved in the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to fight in Ukraine alongside the Russian army, individuals benefiting from or supporting the regime, and leading Syrian business figures.
The Council reiterated its condemnation of Russia’s “indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure”, and urged Russia to “immediately and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders,” and respect the norms of international humanitarian law, including on the treatment of prisoners of war.
In its conclusions of 23-24 June, the European Council stressed that the EU remained strongly committed to providing further military support to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian aggression and defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
