The leaders of the EU countries agreed to new sanctions on
Russia, which launched military action against Ukraine. The content of the
sanctions package includes wide-ranging restrictions, especially economic ones.
The sanctions cover export prohibition, financial sector restriction,
transportation, energy, and visa restrictions.
The EU Has Imposed Sanctions on Vladimir Putin and Sergey Lavrov
On February 25, 2022, the EU decided to freeze the assets of
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. In
addition, the EU has imposed restrictive measures on the members of the
National Security Council of the Russian Federation and the remaining members
of the Russian State Duma who support Russia's recognition of the
self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk "republics."
The Council also reached an agreement on a package of
economic and individual restrictive measures to respond to the unjustified
military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. These sanctions
cover the following sectors:
-
Financing
- Energy
- Transport
- Technology
- Visa policy
These resolutions rapidly implement the Council of Europe
resolutions of 24 February and demonstrate the unity and determination of the
European Union, together with international allies and partners, to defend the
peace order and international law.
On February 23, 2022, the Council agreed on the first package of sanctions in response to Russia's recognition of the non-government districts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts in Ukraine as independent entities.
Get to know the Russia Sanctions of Countries on the Axis of Russia-Ukraine War more closely.
Asset Freezes and Travel Restrictions
Fifty-two organizations and 654 persons were subjected to
asset freezes and travel bans because their actions undermined Ukraine's
territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence. The lists of sanctioned
organizations and persons are constantly reviewed and periodically updated by
the Council.
March March 2014, these measures were implemented, and the most recent decision was extended to March 15, 2022.
Restrictions on economic relations with the Crimea and Sevastopol
It adopted restrictive measures in response to the illegal
annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation by decisions
taken at the Council of the European Union.
The measures apply to EU citizens and EU-based companies.
Their scope is limited to the Crimea and the Sevastopol region.
These measures include:
-
prohibition of import of goods
- trade and investment restrictions related to particular economic sectors and infrastructure projects
- prohibition of the provision of tourism services
- prohibition of the export of certain goods and technologies
On June 21, 2021, the Council extended these measures taken until June 23, 2022.
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Economic Sanctions Aimed at Exchanging with Russia in Certain Economic Sectors
September July and September 2014, the EU imposed economic
sanctions aimed at exchanges with Russia in certain economic sectors.
In December March 2015, EU leaders decided to adopt the
current sanctions regime to fully implement the Minsk agreements scheduled for
the end of December 2015. However, because this council did not take place, it
had extended the economic sanctions until July 31, 2016.
July 1, 2016, economic sanctions have been extended for six
consecutive months Dec.
The decision to extend them was taken each time after
assessing the implementation of the Minsk agreements. As a result, economic
sanctions have already been extended until July 31, 2022.
These restrictive measures:
- Limiting access to the EU primary and secondary capital markets for certain Russian banks and companies
- Imposing an export and import ban on the arms trade
- Imposing an export ban on dual-use goods for military use or military end-users in Russia
- Implement an export ban on goods and technology in the aerospace industry
- Restricting Russia's access to certain sensitive technologies and services that can be used for oil production and exploration
On February 23, 2022, the Council decided to impose a sectoral ban on the financing of the Russian Federation, its government, and the Central Bank. The EU seeks to limit the financing of escalating and aggressive policies by restricting the ability of the Russian state to access the European Union's capital and financial markets and services.
Measures on Economic Cooperation
EU leaders introduced restrictions on economic cooperation
in July 2014:
• The European Investment Bank (EIB) has been asked to
suspend the signing of new financing operations in the Russian Federation
• The EU member states have agreed to coordinate their
positions within the Board of Directors of the European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) in order to suspend the financing of new operations.
• The implementation of the EU's bilateral and regional cooperation programs with Russia has been re-evaluated, and some programs have been suspended.
Message From EU Leaders
EU leaders delivered 'unity and determination' messages
before entering the meeting.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo
said that EU
sanctions should be "painful," as advanced as possible. Slovenian
Prime Minister Janez Jansa stated that a ban on flights in the airspace should
be imposed so that Ukraine can defend itself, and NATO can do this.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin
said that Russian
President Vladimir Putin is "not a leader to be negotiated with," but
still hopes that diplomacy will be used.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausea
also said, "We
don't have the luxury of being an international discussion club. We have to
take action." said. Nausea, who wants Ukraine to be granted EU candidacy
status, said that they should be much more determined towards Russia today,
drawing lessons from the past.
Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel
said that
"sanctions will also cost Europe dearly," adding: "But peace has
a price."
"There is no need for cheap speeches anymore," said Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki , calling for very heavy sanctions on Russia. Emphasizing that the eastern flank of NATO urgently needs to be strengthened, Morawiecki said: "We are buying gas from Russia, we are buying oil. Putin is taking money from us and turning it into aggression. We have to stop it," he said. "At the moment, the whole world is looking at what we are going to do," Morawiecki said, stressing that the decisions that the EU will make these days are of historical importance for Europe.
The EU Commission building was illuminated with the colors of the Ukrainian flag in solidarity with Ukraine ahead of the EU Leaders Summit. In addition, the yellow and blue colors of the flag were projected onto the building.
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