Member states quickly agree: EU puts Russian ministers on sanctions list

Member countries quickly agree
EU puts Russian ministers on sanctions list

02/24/2022 02:29 am

The European Union is responding to Moscow’s recognition of separatist territories with a new package of sanctions. Some Russian ministers are also affected. However, President Putin is still left with punitive measures.

The European Union has imposed new sanctions against Russia over the Ukraine crisis. Those affected include Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Economics Minister Maxim Reshetnikov and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko, according to the official EU Journal published during the night.

The foreign ministers of EU countries had already reached a political agreement on the sanctions package on Tuesday evening. On Wednesday, the punitive measures were formally decided by 27 EU countries. Publication in the official journal is now the final stage. European Union Council President Charles Michel has also called a crisis summit of heads of state and government in Brussels for this Thursday evening. Further measures against Russia may be discussed.

The EU sanctions package envisages the inclusion of 351 members of the Russian Parliament on the EU sanctions list, which started the recognition of the self-declared People’s Republics of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. In addition, there are 27 individuals and organizations that contribute to the undermining of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence.

Troll factory also in focus near Kremlin

Besides two ministers Shoigu and Reshetnikov and deputy prime minister Grigorenko, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, editor-in-chief of state broadcaster RT, Margarita Simonyan, head of the presidential administration Anton Vazno and well-known Kremlin campaigner Vladimir Solovyov are on the sanctions list.

A so-called Internet research agency based in St. Petersburg, known as the Troll Factory belonging to the Kremlin and spreading propaganda, is also mentioned. Similarly, highly placed military and businessmen are also part of the list. There are also the Russian State Bank Promsvyazbank, Bank Rossiya and the financial development institution Veb.rf. In addition, the Russian state’s access to EU financial markets is to be reduced and EU trade with the two regions is to be restricted.

Any person or entity placed on the EU sanctions list will have their assets frozen in the EU. In addition, listed persons are no longer allowed to enter the EU and no further business can be done with those affected.

The EU is not initially enforcing any EU sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite his responsibility for the recent escalation in the Ukraine conflict. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the decision was made because more measures were needed in reserve. According to the EU, punitive measures have now been taken against 555 people and 52 organizations for violating Ukraine’s territorial integrity.