On Wednesday, the European Council adopted a series of sanctions as a response to Russia’s recognition of two Moscow-backed separatists territories in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine—Donetsk and Luhansk—as independent republics, and the subsequent decision to send ‘peacekeeping’
troops to the region.
The European Union’s (EU) foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, said, “Such decisions are illegal and unacceptable. They violate international law, Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Russia’s own international commitments and further escalate the crisis.”
The request for assistance by Moscow from the so-called DPR/LPR breakaway regions announces a very dangerous additional step against #Ukraine’s sovereignty that would put thousands of lives at risk.
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) February 23, 2022
The EU strongly urges #Russia to refrain from any further escalatory actions.
The sanctions include travel bans, asset freezes, restrictions on economic relations with the two separatist regions, and financial restrictions. The Union has also extended existing restrictions on all 351 members of the Russian State Duma for supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to recognise the independence of the eastern Ukrainian territories.
The restrictive measures also target 27 individuals and entities who have been accused of undermining the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Ukraine. This includes members of the government involved in illegal decisions, banks and oligarchs for extending financial and material support to Russian operations in Donetsk and Luhansk, senior military officers for contributing to the invasion and destabilisation of Kyiv, and individuals waging a disinformation campaign against Ukraine.
Regarding economic relations with the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the bloc has imposed trade restrictions to severely punish those responsible and hold them accountable for illegal and aggressive actions.
The press release by the European Council stated: “Today’s decision will introduce in particular an import ban on goods from the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, restrictions on trade and investments related to certain economic sectors, a prohibition to supply tourism services, and an export ban for certain goods and technologies.”
Furthermore, the Council imposed financial sanctions on the Russian government and the Central bank, effectively restricting their access to the bloc’s capital, financial markets, and services. With this, the bloc aims to limit Moscow’s capacity to finance aggressive and escalatory policies.
The bloc thus urged Russia to reverse its recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent republics, hold discussions in the Normandy format and through a trilateral contact group, and adhere to international laws. They also called on other states to not follow Russia’s unlawful recognition of the two separatist regions.
We condemn Russia’s unprecedented military aggression against Ukraine.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) February 24, 2022
It must withdraw its military and fully respect Ukraine's territorial integrity.
The EU leaders will discuss and swiftly adopt further restrictive measures against Russia.
The EU stands with Ukraine.
Lastly, the bloc reaffirmed its support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence, and vowed to adopt more wide-ranging sanctions if needed.
Meanwhile, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, called for an urgent summit on Thursday to discuss the latest development and measures to deter Russia from further military aggression.
Following its annexation of Crimea in 2014, Russia was already subject to several sanctions imposed by the Council. Apart from the EU, several other Western actors, including the United States and Australia, have also levied sanctions against Moscow after Putin’s announcement on Donetsk and Luhansk.