EU ambassadors approve new sanctions against Russians and plan to discuss extension of existing measures

EU ambassadors approved a number of new individual sanctions decisions at a meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) in Brussels on the morning of 11 March. Later in the day, they are set to discuss extending existing personal sanctions related to the undermining of Ukraine's territorial integrity as a result of Russian aggression.

Source: European Pravda, citing Rikard Jozwiak, Europe Editor at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and its own journalist in Brussels

Details: According to Jozwiak, EU ambassadors have just given the green light to sanctions against 19 individuals linked to human rights violations in Iran, a group of people involved in destabilising activities worldwide, individuals responsible for cyberattacks against EU countries, and persons connected to undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity.

European Pravda reported that the latter decision concerns adding several new names to the existing sanctions list.

Later in the day, ambassadors will discuss extending the already existing personal sanctions related to Russia's aggression against Ukraine for another six months. This decision must be taken by 15 March, otherwise sanctions imposed on more than 2,500 individuals will lapse.

The position of EU member states, particularly Hungary, on extending this type of sanctions remains unclear.

If ambassadors fail to reach agreement on Wednesday 11 March, discussions will continue at the next Coreper meeting scheduled for Friday 13 March.

Background:

• The European Commission has indicated that the EU does not plan to lift sanctions on Russian oil and gas despite global market developments linked to the war in the Middle East.
• Unconfirmed reports have also suggested that the EU removed the Georgian port of Kulevi from the 20th sanctions package against Russia, whose adoption has reportedly been stalled due to a Hungarian veto.

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