Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Today, the Council of the European Union decided to impose restrictive measures on 141 individuals and 49 additional entities in response to the escalation of Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
This decision is an integral part of the comprehensive ninth package of sanctions adopted by the Council earlier today. According to a European statement issued in Brussels, it also stated, "We are targeting nearly 200 new individuals and entities who played an active role in the recent Russian escalation in Its illegal war in Ukraine. Politicians in the Russian government, the State Duma, the Federation Council and the judiciary are being targeted. Those responsible for the plundering of Ukrainian grain and for the deportation of the Ukrainian people, especially children, as well as organizations that poison public space through systematic manipulation of information, are punished. We are determined to Work in this regard support Ukraine, as long as necessary. This is what the statement quoted from Josep Borrell, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Among the individuals listed are members of Russia's armed forces and its various branches, members of the State Duma and Federation Council, ministers and governors. It also includes those responsible for missile strikes against civilians, critical civilian infrastructure, and the subsequent kidnappings and illegal adoptions of Ukrainian children. Finally, family members of sanctioned individuals and popular public figures responsible for propaganda and disinformation, as well as those responsible for the looting of Ukrainian agricultural products, are also listed.

Sanctioned entities include banks such as Credit Bank of Moscow and JSC Dalnevostochniy, defense and industrial companies, several political parties and media holdings under the control of Russian authorities that form the core of the Kremlin's propaganda machine, and paramilitary groups.

In all, the EU's restrictive measures in relation to actions that undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to 1,386 individuals and 171 entities. Designated persons are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. In addition, natural persons are subject to a travel ban that prevents them from entering or transiting through the territory of the European Union.

None of the measures adopted in view of Russia's destabilizing actions in Ukraine are in any way aimed at trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizers, between Third World countries and Russia. However, in view of the Union's firm stance to avoid and combat food insecurity worldwide, and in order to avoid disturbances in the payment channels for agricultural products, it was decided to introduce a new exception allowing the unfreezing of assets and the provision of funds and economic resources to certain individuals who played an important role in trade. international agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilizers, prior to their inclusion in the list.

In its conclusions of 20 and 21 October 2022, the European Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the Russian missile and drone attacks targeting civilians, civilian objects and infrastructure in Kyiv and across Ukraine. Referring to the statement of September 30, 2022, and in line with the UN General Assembly resolution of October 12, 2022, the European Council also reiterated its unequivocal condemnation and resolute rejection of Russia's illegal annexation of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson. And, as in the case of Crimea and Sevastopol, the EU will never recognize this illegal annexation. The European Council stated that Russia's unilateral decisions deliberately violate the UN Charter and flagrantly disregard the rules-based international order, and the EU is willing to continue to strengthen its restrictive measures against Russia.

In the face of Russia's war of aggression, the European Union stands firmly with Ukraine and its people, and is unwavering in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

The relevant legal actions, including the names of the individuals and entities included in the list, have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Official Journal of the European Union, 16 December 2022 (including the list of individuals and entities subject to sanctions)