Brussels, 28/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - During an exceptional meeting on 28 April, the ambassadors from the 28 EU member states decided to impose sanctions on another 15 people in connection with the Ukrainian crisis, following the decision of the foreign affairs ministers on 14 April to extend the list of people subject to targeted sanctions for having committed actions compromising the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (see EUROPE 11061). The entry into force of these new sanctions will take place on 29 April, with the publication in the Official Journal of the EU of the legal texts, including the list of the people concerned. According to a diplomatic source, these are Russians and pro-Russian Ukrainians. They are to be added to the 33 people already under sanctions - a freeze on their assets in the EU and a visa ban on European territory. The decision was adopted by written procedure.
“We consider the phase 2 sanctions [targeted sanctions] as being the appropriate level for the moment”, said European Commission spokesperson Pia Ahrenkilde-Hansen earlier in the day, stating that, “if there is further escalation, there will be an opportunity for the EU to consider moving to phase 3”. This phase, which focuses on economic sanctions, is still being prepared. According to a European source, work on the targeted sanctions of phase 2 is also continuing.
While Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on 25 April that the foreign affairs ministers would meet soon (see EUROPE 11067), the ambassadors did not confirm such an exceptional meeting, which will also depend on the situation on the ground. The ambassadors will meet again on 30 April for their ordinary meeting and the situation in Ukraine is likely to be discussed again.
On the US side, it was announced on 28 April that the US wants to impose sanctions on “seven Russian government officials, including two members of President Putin's inner circle”, who will be subject to an asset freeze and a US visa ban, and on 17 companies linked to Putin's inner circle, who will be subject to an asset freeze. Thirteen of these companies will be further submitted to a licence requirement with a presumption of denial for the export, re-export or other foreign transfer of US-origin items to the companies. Washington also announce a tightened policy to deny export licence applications for any high technology items that could contribute to Russia's military capabilities, and any existing export licences that meet these conditions will be revoked.
G7 to strengthen its sanctions. On 26 April, the leaders of the G7 (Germany, France, Italy, United Kingdom, Canada, United States and Japan) and the presidents of the European Council and European Commission, Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso respectively, announced their commitment to take new measures to ensure a stable and peaceful environment in Ukraine for the presidential elections on 25 May. They expressed their great concern at the incessant attempts of the separatists supported by Russia to destabilise Eastern Ukraine. They were of the view that Russia had not taken a single concrete measure to apply the 17 April Geneva agreement. They said that they were convinced that it was necessary to act rapidly and thus committed to working urgently to strengthen the sanctions and targeted measures in order to increase the cost to Russia of its actions. The G7 leaders wanted sanctions that will be coordinated and wider-ranging, including sectoral measures if circumstances justify this. The G7 leaders nevertheless stressed that the diplomatic route remains open for settling the crisis. They said that they urged Russia to joint them in committing to this route. (CG)