EU to Impose New Sanctions on Russia for Ukraine Invasion Anniversary
The EU is likely to adopt a new sanctions package against Russia on February 24, 2025, marking the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, citing informed diplomatic sources in Brussels.
The new package, the 16th of its kind, is expected to target specific sectors of the Russian economy that have not been adequately addressed so far. EU diplomats told the newspaper that the measures are meant to be a “clear signal to Moscow” and will include sanctions on sectors of the Russian economy that have not been sufficiently covered before.
The package will also include additional listings of individuals and organizations considered to be propagandists of the Russian regime, responsible for undermining Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the newspaper reported.
The European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS) are planning to impose entry and asset bans on individuals who have spied for Russia and been involved in disinformation campaigns, including in Germany, the report said.
In Brussels, it was said that it is a challenging task to identify the involvement of individuals in so-called hybrid Russian attacks and to prove their involvement. Therefore, a final decision has not been made yet on whether sanctions for espionage and disinformation will be adopted on February 24.
In mid-December, the Council adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia, which primarily targeted 52 Russian ships in the “shadow fleet” that aim to circumvent sanctions by banning them from ports and certain services. Sanctions for so-called hybrid Russian attacks were imposed by the EU for the first time on December 17.