16th package of sanctions on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU lists additional 48 individuals and 35 entities
As part of the comprehensive sixteenth package of sanctions adopted earlier today, the Council decided to impose targeted restrictive measures on an additional 48 individuals and 35 entities responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Today’s decision maintains pressure on the Russian military and defence by listing several industry companies manufacturing weapons, ammunitions and other military equipment and technologies.
As part of the EU efforts to close shadow fleet networks, the EU also imposed full-fledge sanctions over three entities transporting Russian crude oil and oil products and providing substantial revenues to the Russian Government.
Additionally, this package continues targeting actors responsible for circumventing EU sanctions, including through third countries. For the first time, the Council also decided to sanction, a crypto-currency exchange based in Russia, Garantex, which is closely associated with EU-sanctioned Russian banks.
Sanctions will also be imposed on third countries actors directly supporting the Russian war effort. Today’s listings include one Chinese firm specialised in the production of satellite imagery, notably to the benefit of the Russia’s military-industrial complex, together with its chairman, as well as two senior officials in the Korean People’s Army.
Responding to Russian propaganda remains also a priority. Alongside notorious Russian propagandists, the EU is notably listing NewsFront, and SouthFront, two outlets presenting distorted interpretations of history and manipulated information in line with Kremlin messaging while also targeting European and global audiences with distorted and manipulated information.
Concerning listed individuals, the EU is targeting businessmen active in the Russian mining and energy sectors, politicians and proxies from the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine, people involved in the mass abduction, illegal re-education, deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia and public figures, including a former Ukrainian politician now working for Russia.
Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to over 2400 individuals and entities. Those designated today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering into or transiting through the territories of EU member states.
The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.
Background
In its conclusions of 19 December 2024, the European Council reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which constitutes a manifest violation of the UN Charter, and reaffirmed its continued support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The European Council also reconfirmed the EU’s unwavering commitment to providing continued political, financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed. Russia must not prevail.
The European Council reaffirmed its support for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the principles of the UN Charter and international law, in line with the key principles and objectives of Ukraine’s Peace Formula, and underlined the principle that no initiative regarding Ukraine be taken without Ukraine. To this end, the EU and its member states will maintain their intensive global outreach efforts and will participate in the discussions affecting Europe’s security.
The European Union remains ready to step up pressure on Russia, including by adopting further sanctions.