Russia: EU Council sharpens sanctions tools against destabilising activities

The EU Council today established a new framework for restrictive measures in response to Russia’s destabilising actions abroad.

This new framework will allow the EU to target individuals and entities engaged in actions and policies by the government of the Russian Federation, which undermine the fundamental values of the EU and its member states, their security, independence and integrity, as well as those of international organisations and third countries.

The EU will as of now be able to address a variety of hybrid threats, such as: the undermining electoral processes and the functioning of democratic institutions; threats against and sabotage of economic activities, services of public interest or critical infrastructure; the use of coordinated disinformation, foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI); malicious cyber activities, the instrumentalisation of migrants, and other destabilizing activities.

Today’s decision, based on a proposal by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, is part of the EU’s response to the continued campaign of hybrid activities by Russia, which has recently increased through new operations on European soil.

Under this newly established framework, those designated will be subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies will be forbidden from making funds available to them. In addition, natural persons will also be subject to a travel ban, which will prevent them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

Background

The Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, approved by the Council in 2022, called for the development of an EU Hybrid Toolbox bringing together existing and possible new instruments to detect and respond to a broad range of hybrid threats. Such Toolbox has been operational since December 2022.

On 21 May 2024, the Council approved conclusions acknowledging that state and non-state actors were increasingly using hybrid tactics, posing a growing threat to the security of the EU, its member states and partners, and called on EU institutions and the member states to step up action to monitor attempts by foreign actors to interfere in the EU’s democratic process.

In its conclusions of 27 June 2024, the European Council strongly condemned all types of hybrid activities, which are on the rise and target the EU, its member states and partners. Furthermore, the European Council called, inter alia, for work to be taken forward in the Council to establish a new sanctions regime in view of hybrid threats.

• European Council Conclusions (27 June 2024)
• Council conclusion on democratic resilience: safeguarding electoral processes from foreign interference (21 May 2024)
• Timeline – EU sanctions against Russia (background information)
• EU response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (background information)

Brussels, 8 October 2024

The European Union and its Member States strongly condemn Russia’s intensifying campaign of hybrid activities against the EU, its Member States and partners. These activities again illustrate Russia’s reckless and irresponsible behaviour and its disregard for the rules-based international order and international law.

We have detected an increasing number of a broad range of activities against the EU and its Member States, including cyber-attacks, information manipulation and interference campaigns, cases of arson, vandalism and sabotage, including against our critical infrastructure as well as instrumentalisation of migration and other disruptive actions. Russia also continues to disrupt satellite communications, violate European airspace and conduct physical attacks against individuals on the territory of the EU.

These malicious activities are part of a broad coordinated hybrid campaign directed by Russia as an attempt to divide our society, destabilise and weaken the EU and its Member States and our resilience as well as to undermine our support to Ukraine and its ability to defend itself. This will not succeed: we will act united and determined to address these activities and hold perpetrators accountable. Our support to Ukraine will remain solid and unwavering for as long as it takes.

With today’s decision to establish a dedicated framework of restrictive measures in view of Russia’s destabilising activities, the EU takes another decisive step. Under the new legal framework, the EU can target those who are responsible for, implement, support or benefit from Russia’s destabilising actions worldwide, as well as their associates and supporters.

We will continue to strengthen our resilience, work closely with our partners, and make full use of the EU Hybrid Toolbox, including diplomatic and restrictive measures, as well as all available instruments, to prevent, deter and respond to Russia’s hybrid activities.

Source – EU Council