Brussels, 22/07/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 18 July, the Council widened the legal basis - by written procedure - for EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Ukraine. This was in line with the decision of the European Council of 16 July (see EUROPE 11124). The decision entered into force on Saturday 19 July with its publication in the EU Official Journal.
With this decision, the way is now open for legal persons, entities and bodies which “materially or financially support actions against Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence” to be subject to sanctions. . The Council is due to adopt a first list of such entities, including from the Russian Federation, by the end of July - as requested by the European Council.
The natural persons who are “responsible for, actively supporting or implementing, actions or policies which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, or stability or security in Ukraine or which obstruct the work of international organisations in Ukraine, and natural or legal persons, entities or bodies associated with them”, can always have sanctions imposed on them. The legal persons, entities or bodies in Crimea or Sevastopol whose ownership has been transferred contrary to Ukrainian law, or legal persons, entities or bodies which have benefited from such a transfer can also always have restrictive measures imposed on them.
Currently, 72 persons linked to the Ukrainian crisis are subject to sanctions. The EU foreign affairs ministers are due to discuss sanctions at their Foreign Affairs Council on Tuesday 22 July (see other article). (CG)