Restrictive measures imposed by the EU in 2014 in response to Russia’s actions to destabilize Ukraine are an important element of international diplomatic efforts to reach a solution for the crisis around Ukraine.
1. Restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, imposed by Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP from 17 March 2014. According to these measures, 177 persons and 48 entities are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban. This sanction regime is reviewed every 6 month.
2. Restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol (concerning restrictions on goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol) imposed by Council Decision 2014/386/CFSP from 23 June 2014. These measures include an import ban on goods from Crimea and Sevastopol, full ban on investment, prohibition to supply tourism services in Crimea, ban on export of equipment for the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources. This sanction regime is reviewed every 12 month.
3. Restrictive measures in response to Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine (so called economic end sectorial sanctions), imposed by Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP from 31 July 2014. Currently these restrictive measures limit access to EU primary and secondary capital markets for a number of Russian banking institutions; impose an export and import ban on trade in arms; establish an export ban for dual-use goods for military use or military end users in Russia; limit Russian access to certain sensitive technologies and services that can be used for oil production and exploration. This sanction regime is reviewed every 6 month.
4. Besides, on the basis of Council Decision 2014/119/CFSP from 5 March 2014, the EU imposed restrictive measures against former Ukrainian high officials identified as responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian state funds. These sanctions consist of an asset freeze. This sanction regime is reviewed every 12 month.
In 2022-2024, the Council of the European Union endorced 13 packages of sanctions against the Russian Federation and entities supporting military aggression against Ukraine.
The 1st package of sanctions, 22 February 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0262&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0262&qid=1711454835224).
The EU reacted to Russia's recognition of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions as "sovereign independent states" by imposing personal sanctions against 23 individuals, including members of the Russian Government, senior military officers and banking executives, as well as 4 legal entities involved in the recognition process.
The 2nd package of sanctions, 25 February 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0328&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0328&qid=1711454835224).
In response to Russia's full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, the EU imposed individual sanctions against the highest officials of the Russian Federation, including President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov, while also expanding sanctions against Belarus.
The 3rd package of sanctions, 28 February 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0334&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0334&qid=1711454835224).
It includes personal sanctions against individuals, including Russian oligarchs and businessmen, which is expected to hit the Russian economy, Moreover, the sanctions cover other measures such as the complete closure of EU airspace for Russian airlines, the exclusion of certain banks from the SWIFT financial system, the freezing of assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and the ban on investments in projects co-financed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
The 4th package of sanctions, 15 March 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0428&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0428&qid=1711454835224).
The EU imposed additional export restrictions, in particular on dual-use goods and technologies that could be used in the military sector. A prohibition on new investments in Russia's energy sector and restrictions on the provision of credit rating services to Russian companies were also implemented. As part of this package of sanctions, restrictions were also applied to Russian oligarchs.
The 5th package of sanctions, 8 April 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0576&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0576&qid=1711454835224).
In response to Russia's continued military aggression, the EU is significantly increasing its economic pressure by imposing a ban on Russian coal imports. This decision is aimed at cutting off the significant income that Russia receives from the sale of coal on the European market. In addition, the package contains a complete ban on financial transactions with the major Russian banks, which would further isolate the Russian financial system from the global economy.
The 6th package of sanctions, 3 June 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R0879&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0879&qid=1711454835224).
The package establishes an embargo on Russian oil imports, indicating a significant move to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian energy supply. As part of the package, more Russian banks were excluded from the SWIFT banking system, furthermore the EU has introduced a ban on providing specific services to Russian companies, including accounting, auditing, consultancy and PR services. This is aimed at restricting the access of Russian companies to international markets and services, which shoud lead to reducing Russian ability to conduct global activities.
The 7th package of sanctions, 21 July 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R1269&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R1269&qid=1711454835224).
The package includes a ban for legal entities, organisations or agencies outside the EU which are controlled by Russian citizens or individuals residing in Russia to make an investment to the EU if the total value of the deposit is more than €100,000. A prohibition was also implemented on the import of gold or gold products, including jewellery, from Russia to the EU or to any third country. As part of this package, personal sanctions were also imposed on 54 individuals and 10 legal entities.
The 8th package of sanctions, 6 October 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R1904&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R1904&qid=171145483522).
Individual sanctions were applied against 37 individuals and legal entities, with a focus on war criminals, including representatives of the illegal government, actors engaged in illegal referendums, commanders and leaders of the Russian Ministry of Defence, famous Russian artists and ideologists of the criminal Russian regime, as well as some financial institutions and military-industrial complex companies. Oil prices have been limited in addition to a ban on Russian imports of certain categories of goods, which is expected to cause losses to the Russian economy of €7 billion.
The 9th package of sanctions, 16 December 2022 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022R2474&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2022:322I:FULL).
Export control measures have been extended, in particular with regard to chemical and nerve substances, night vision devices, radio navigation, electronics and IT components that can be used by the Russian war machine. 168 companies were added to the list of military organisations prohibited from authorising the sale, supply, transfer or export of goods and technologies. Expansion of personal sanctions.
The 10th package of sanctions, 25 February 2023 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R0427&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2023:059I:FULL).
The 10th EU sanctions package focuses on measures against those responsible for the deportation of Ukrainian children. The package also includes sanctions against 150 individuals linked to Russian propaganda and disinformation. In addition, restrictions were imposed on exports of synthetic rubber and bitumen to the EU. This is an indication of the EU's intention to limit Russia's access to important markets for goods that could be used in the military or other critical sectors.
The 11th package of sanctions, 23 June 2023 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1214&qid=1711454835224, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L:2023:159I:FULL).
The EU's 11th sanctions package expands the tools to counter sanctions circumvention, which include enhanced import and export controls and a prohibition on the transit of dual-use goods through the EU territory that could contribute to Russia's military potential. In addition to intensifying cooperation with third countries and providing them with technical assistance, the package provides for individual restrictive measures against third-country actors that facilitate sanctions circumvention in order to effectively limit Russia's access to important resources.
The 12th package of sanctions, 18 December 2023 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R2878&qid=1711454835224).
This EU sanctions package imposes restrictions on 60 individuals and 85 legal entities from Russia and Belarus. An important element of the package is a prohibition on the distribution of Russian diamonds, as well as restrictions on metallurgical and industrial products, which are intended to reduce Russia's crucial export revenues. The package also includes tighter restrictions on access to EU ports for Russian-flagged ships and expands the ban on certain critical services for the Russian economy, including architecture, engineering, IT, and legal services, targeting Russia's ability to circumvent sanctions.
The 13th package of sanctions, 23 February 2024 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202400745, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202400746).
The 13th package of sanctions introduced by the EU on the second anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The package tightens restrictions on the supply of critical technologies to Russia, including those that could be used in the military sector and dual-use products. The package bans imports of Russian goods into the EU, including certain metals and chemicals, in order to reduce funding for the Russian military machine. It also includes individual sanctions against individuals and companies that play a key role in supporting Russian military activities or helping it to circumvent international sanctions.
In total, these EU restrictive measures affect more than 2,100 individuals and legal entities. These individuals are subject to an asset freeze, a prohibition on providing funds to them, and a ban on entry into and transit through the EU territory (https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/infographics/eu-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine/).