EU Approves New Russia Sanctions Listings

European Union ambassadors approved a new package of Russia-related sanctions on Wednesday, June 10, including additional blacklists targeting individuals and entities linked to destabilizing activities, human rights abuses and Russia’s occupation of Crimea.

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Europe Editor Rikard Jozwiak, the measures were approved during a meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday.

The sanctions package includes nine individuals and 45 entities added to the EU’s Russia sanctions list.

In a separate measure, the bloc sanctioned 10 individuals and one entity for activities deemed to be destabilizing the European Union.

New measures target rights abuses

EU ambassadors also approved sanctions against 15 individuals and one entity over alleged human rights violations linked to Russia.

The measures are part of the bloc’s broader sanctions framework adopted in response to Russia’s actions both within and beyond its borders.

The identities of the newly sanctioned individuals and entities were not immediately released.

Crimea restrictions extended

The EU also agreed to extend for another year its ban on investments in occupied Crimea, first introduced following Russia’s illegal annexation of the peninsula in 2014.

The restrictions prohibit European companies and individuals from making certain investments in Crimea and Sevastopol and remain one of the EU’s longest-standing sanctions regimes against Russia.

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The measures still require formal adoption by EU member states before entering into force.

The decision comes as Brussels continues work on a broader package of sanctions targeting Russia’s economy and energy sector amid Moscow’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Previously Politico reported, that EU is preparing a new sanctions package targeting four Chinese companies accused of supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine through drone components, military-related chemicals, and assistance to Moscow’s shadow fleet. The measures, expected to be considered by EU foreign ministers next week, also target firms in the UAE, Turkey, and Azerbaijan.

In addition, the package would target subsidiaries of Russian oil giant Lukoil, as well as dozens of individuals and companies alleged to be supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex.

The proposed listings are part of the EU’s “rolling” sanctions strategy, under which entities are added or removed based on Moscow’s evolving methods of bypassing Western restrictions.