Facebook Read more about the role of the European Council, EU restrictive measures in response to the crisis in Ukraine (background information), Foreign affairs & international relations, EU based assets of those sanctioned are frozen, EU operators are prohibited from making funds available to those sanctioned, Sanctioned individuals cannot travel to the EU, Export ban on certain goods and technologies, Ban on tourism services in Crimea and Sevastopol, Russia is no longer invited to G8 meetings, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRB). EU diplomats also told reporters that the meetings did not address specific names. Press officers speak 'off the record' about the Council's activities. EU sanctions on Russia were introduced in 2014 in response to Russia’s involvement in the Ukraine crisis, during which Russia annexed the Crimea region of Ukraine. EU Council extends individual sanctions against Russia due to Ukrainian situation 1 min read The EU Council has decided to extend the sanctions targeting those responsible "for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine" for a further six months, the council's press service said. The EU has once again decided to renew its economic sanctions against Russia.. The press office holds press events, offers audiovisual coverage of major events and provides facilities for journalists. Brussels and Washington imposed new sanctions against senior Russian officials on Tuesday, delivering a one-two punch at the Kremlin over the poisoning attack and jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. "The EU will not be silent" about the persecution of anti-corruption crusader Alexei Navalny, Maas told reporters following a meeting of top diplomats from the bloc. Several called on the EU, and some national and regional governments in particular, to finally move ahead with cancelling the remaining work on the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, as a means to impose proper economic sanctions against the Russian government. In a statement Monday, Russia's Foreign Ministry said the EU sanctions are "unlawful," "disappointing" and adopted under a "far-fetched pretext. Gabrielius Landsbergis, the foreign minister of Lithuania, which organized Sunday's discussion, said "the biggest hope for [Monday] is that we will make a unanimous decision about the list" of people to be sanctioned. European Council chief Charles Michel said Tuesday the EU has no plans to lift punishing sanctions against Russia that were imposed over the conflict in Ukraine. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Navalny's sentencing was unlawful. The Council of the EU and the European Council work on a wide range of issues affecting the interests of the EU and its citizens. In addition to the EU sanctions specific to Russia, sanctions are also in place in respect of Crimea and Sevastopol. Find out more about documents and publications. Renewed: every 6 months based on an assessment of the Minsk agreements implementation The EU already slapped sanctions on Russia following the poisoning attack on Nalvany last year. The firm had "moderate confidence", it said, that 14 anti-Nato disinformation attacks between March 2017 and May this year came out of Russia. But officials will now start drafting the framework of restrictions, including asset freezes and visa bans against individuals responsible for the repressive actions against protesters and Navalny himself. Speaking to the UN-backed Conference on Disarmament, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Moscow of having "used chemical weapons to try to assassinate its own people," including Navalny. ", The Foreign Ministry called demands for Navalny's release "unacceptable" and "absurd," as the arrested opposition leader was "convicted by a Russian court" on Russian territory in "accordance with Russian law.". Russia had already been hit with sanctions following its 2014 annexation of Crimea and its backing of insurgents in Ukraine. The agreement came after France, Germany, Poland and the Baltic countries urged the bloc to take steps against the Kremlin. The EU's counter-GRU sanctions came the same day a California-based internet security firm, Mandiant Solutions, also pointed at Moscow for hacking news websites in Europe. The Council of the EU is the institution representing the member states' governments. Twitter The European Council brings together EU leaders at least four times a year. Additional restrictive measures could also be taken under the new EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime. They were introduced in three phases, each one intending to increase the pressure on Russia until it fully implemented the terms of the Minsk peace agreements. The EU is set to sanction the authorities responsible for the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Russia, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said. In March 2015, EU leaders decided to align the existing sanctions regime to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements, foreseen for the end of December 2015. Though Maas did not provide names, he said the new measures would be focused on Russian officials "from the judiciary.". Since 2014 the EU has imposed different types of sanctions against Russia in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea, Renewed: every 6 months based on an assessment of the Minsk agreements implementation. Entities, … The extension was decide… The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union. For more information on EU sanctions against Russia, see: The General Secretariat of the Council is a body of staff responsible for assisting the European Council and the Council of the EU. Borell stressed that EU-Russia relations are going to be discussed in an EU foreign ministers meeting on Feb. 22, and said member states will decide the next steps, which could include sanctions. Previously, diplomatic sources said the foreign ministers had agreed to impose sanctions on four top Russian officials. These prohibitions are wide ranging and relate to certain investments, loans, credit, exports, imports, trade and related financing, financial assistance, brokering and technical assistance. The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came fully into force on the 31 December 2020. It helps organise and ensure the coherence of the Council's work and the implementation of its 18-month programme. The press office is the first point of contact for all media requests. We use cookies to improve our service for you. The sanctions lists have increased each year and now consist of more than 500 companies and 300 individuals. They later increased measures to protest Russia’s involvement in the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. Top EU diplomat to propose new sanctions against Russia By LORNE COOK, Associated Press 2/9/2021 Fact check: Post falsely claims Bill Gates and Ghislaine Maxwell are cousins Facebook Messenger Web It consists of the heads of state or government of the member states, together with its President and the President of the Commission. EMail Council and European Council documents are made available through the public register, in accordance with EU rules on transparency. "I am in favor of ordering the preparation of additional sanctions, of listings of specific persons," Maas said on his arrival to the talks. EU, US impose new sanctions against Russia over Navalny Four Russian nationals were targeted by the European restrictions, while the Americans imposed sanctions against … EU extends sanctions against Russia for six months. The European Union remains steadfast in its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within its … | Mobile version. Eight EU foreign ministers, as well as several EU ambassadors, met with two of Navalny's close allies on Sunday evening ahead of the talks. In December 2019, the EU announced the extension of sanctions until 31 July 2020. Borrell himself admitted as much before Monday's meeting. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. Whatsapp Web Send You can get in contact to arrange a visit, ask questions about the work of both institutions, and request a document, among other services. The sanctions contributed to the collapse of the Russian ruble and the Russian financial crisis. The measures target the financial, energy and defence sectors, and the area of dual-use goods. EU defines terms of new sanctions against Russia due to Navalny case 23 February 2021, 09:44 latest news SOCIETY 17:27 Covid-19 pandemic … BRUSSELS (AP) — European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Tuesday that the 27-nation bloc must take a firm stance in its future relations with Russia including through the use of new sanctions, in the wake of the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The sanctions by the European Union and United States continue to be in effect as of May 2019. The EU imposed sanctions on a series of individuals, including close allies of Putin's, back in October, after the poisoning of the Navalny with the Soviet-era Novichok nerve agent. Russia responded with its own individual sanctions and the expulsion of three EU diplomats, which was announced during Borrell's trip. Ukrinform. Relations between Russia and the European Union have continued to break down despite a recent visit by EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to Moscow, which was widely considered to have been a catastrophe.