Foreign ministers of the European Union on Tuesday reached an agreement to impose sanctions on Russia for attack on territorial integrity of neighboring Ukraine.
“Today we have agreed that the 351 members of the Russian State Duma who vote for this offense of international law and territorial integrity and substantive Ukraine will be listed in our sanctions list,” EU foreigner policy chef Josep Borrell told a news conference following an extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers.
The block will also impose penalties on 27 people and entities that are responsible for compromising or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, he said.
The measures will aim decision-makers threatening Ukraine, military officials involved in planning and realization out intervention, as well as those responsible for disinformation targeting Ukraine.
The block will also blacklist entities that finance or profit from the crisis and banks that finance Russia decision-manufacturers and operations in Ukraine.
“We will do it also target the ability of the Russian state and government for access our capital and financial markets and services”, Borrell added.
The EU will restrict economic relations with Lugansk and Donetsk regions held by Russian separatists also, “exactly” like after Russia 2014 invasion of Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine, Borrell added”for ensure than those responsible clearly feel the economic consequences of unlawful and aggressive actions.”
In a statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the “solid” package of punishments, also warning that the EU would take further action if Russia “continues to escalate this crisis it has created”.
Von der Leyen also praised the German government’s decision stop the Nord Stream 2 project.
“Nord Stream 2 needs to be assessed in light of Security of energy supply for the totality of Europe,” she stressed, urging the EU to diversify its energy suppliers and switch to renewable energies.
Tuesday’s foreign ministers decision must be officially endorsed by EU capitals to enter into force effect. the move is expected in hours after Borrell announcement.
Russia latest moves
Earlier on Tuesday, the Russian Federation Council authorized the use of Russian Armed Forces outside of the country.
After a speech Monday night saying Russia would recognize breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine as independent, Putin announced that Russia would send troops to these regions in to “keep the peace”.
the announcements spread global condemnation as violations of the Charter of the United Nations and international law with western countries swearing to impose severe new punishments.
In 2014, after invading Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, Moscow began to support separatist forces in Eastern Ukraine against the central government policy that he maintained for the past seven years. The conflict took more more than 13,000 lives, according to the UN
by Putin latest moves follow Russia deploying around 100,000 troops and heavy equipment in and around son next to, with the United States and the West countries accuse him of staging for a invasion.
Russia has denied preparing a invasion and instead claims the west countries undermined its security by NATO’s expansion towards its borders.
