European Union Decided to Extend New Sanctions Regime Against Russia Every Year

The Council of the European Union has decided to extend the new sanctions regime against Russia every 12 months. Thus, the new restrictions against hybrid threats from Russia will remain in force until 9 October 2025, according to the publication of the Official Journal of the European Union.

This Decision comes into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union, i.e. from today. 

‘Destabilising actions against the EU, its member states and partners have a price. ‘Russia will not succeed in undermining our resilience and stability,’ EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said the day before.

The European Union (EU) on Tuesday announced new sanctions against Russia in response to hybrid threats from the country. 

The European Union and its Member States strongly condemn Russia's intensified campaign of hybrid activities against the EU, its Member States and partners. These actions once again illustrate Russia's reckless and irresponsible behaviour and its disregard for the rules-based international order and international law, the EU Council said in a statement.

‘We have identified a growing number of wide-ranging actions against the EU and its Member States, including cyber-attacks, information manipulation and interference campaigns, arson, vandalism and sabotage, including against our critical infrastructure, as well as instrumentalised migration and other disruptive actions. Russia has also continued to disrupt satellite communications, violate European airspace and carry out physical attacks on individuals on EU territory,’ the document says. 

`Under this newly established sanctions system, the designated individuals will be subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies will be prohibited from providing funds to them. In addition, individuals will also be subject to an entry ban, which will prohibit them from entering or transiting the EU,’ the statement added.

Commenting on this event, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that with the new sanctions regime, they sent a clear and unified message against Russia's growing hybrid activities.

‘Destabilising actions against the EU, its member states and partners have a price. Russia will not succeed in undermining our resilience and stability,’ Borrell said.

The EU has imposed massive and unprecedented sanctions on Russia in response to its war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Sanctions were also imposed in response to human rights violations and hybrid threats.