EU Sanctions pro-russian Moldovan oligarchs over plan to destabilize Moldova

The Council of the European Union has recently implemented sanctions against two Moldovan citizens implicated in actions threatening the independence, sovereignty, or territorial integrity of Ukraine. The decision was published in the EU's Official Journal.

This time, the sanctions have been imposed on Alexander Kalinin, the leader of the pro-Russian Party of Regions of Moldova and the head of the interregional public organization "Congress of Moldovan Diasporas". Kalinin has visited Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine and supported the Russian army.

The second Moldovan citizen on the sanctions list is Grigory Karamalak – the Vice President of the Russian Wrestling Federation and an assistant to a senator from the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. He is known in the media as the criminal authority "Bulgar".

The IFAVIS foundation established by Karamalak, with the support of the Russian occupying authorities, organises "patriotic and sporting events in occupied territories in Eastern Ukraine" under the guise of illicit activity.

These two individuals are now subject to restrictions - asset freezes, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from providing them with funds. Furthermore, they are subjected to an entry ban that prevents them from entering or transiting through the EU.

Recall, the Council of the European Union previously approved a regulation to impose sanctions within the new sanctions regime due to the destabilisation of Moldova.

Overall, the EU sanctions have targeted pro-Russian oligarchs who have fled Moldova: Vladimir Plahotniuc and Ilan Shor, top deputy of the pro-Russian "Shor" party Marina Tauber, as well as the former Deputy Chief of the Police General Inspectorate Georgiy Kavkalyuk, who is wanted in Moldova, and Russian businessman Igor Chaika.

Currently, the EU is working on implementing the 11th package of sanctions against Russia, under which the European Union will introduce measures against more than 90 companies from various countries that violate existing restrictions. The list includes eight companies from China. Previously, the European Union discussed the creation of a new mechanism against third countries to force them to refrain from assisting Russia.

To date, EU sanctions have been imposed on 1,473 individuals, including travel bans, asset freezes, and financing prohibitions, and on 207 legal entities with asset freezes and financing prohibitions.

These EU restrictive measures have been imposed due to actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.