Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The EU Council expanded sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, targeting additional 10 entities and 54 individuals.
The Council stressed in a statement released on Friday that the latest sanctions come on top of the package of measures adopted on Thursday.
“We are listing another major Russian Bank, Sberbank, and preventing it from conducting transactions outside Russia,” noted Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
“We are also adding further individuals involved in Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, such as military officials, the Night Wolves motorcycle club and disinformation actors,” he pointed out.
The Council stressed that targeted individuals include political figures, ranking military personnel, businessmen and pro-Russian propagandists.
Entities targeted by the latest package of sanctions include financial institutions including Sberbank, companies from the defence sector and those that spread political propaganda.
Syria targeted as well
The Council pointed out that Syria is supporting Russian aggression against Ukraine, which is why new sanctions target one entity and six individuals involved in recruitment of Syrians to fight in Ukraine.
EU sanctions over the war in Ukraine now target 108 entities and 1,212 individuals subject to travel bans and asset freezes, and EU companies and citizens are not allowed to make funds available to them.
The Council stressed that “the EU firmly stands with Ukraine and will continue to provide strong support for Ukraine’s overall economic, military, social and financial resilience, including humanitarian aid.”
The body condemned Russia’s attacks against civilian targets and called on Moscow to cease hostilities and withdraw from Ukraine immediately.
It stressed the importance of respecting international law and added that “Russia, Belarus and all those responsible for war crimes and the other most serious crimes will be held to account for their actions, in accordance with international law.”
In a statement on Thursday, the Council noted that it adopted a “maintenance and alignment package” of measures against Russia aimed at increasing sanctions pressure on Moscow.
Borrell pointed out that the package is “another important step to curtail Russia’s capacity to continue and finance its war of aggression against Ukraine.”