On Monday 13 July, European foreign ministers agreed to sanction around 30 people and entities linked to human rights violations and malicious activities, but the 21st package against Russia is still under negotiation.
They therefore adopted sanctions against 11 people and five entities linked to the situation in Russia, notably because of the use of new technologies to restrict freedom of expression, access to information and freedom of association. Among others, these include the company VKontakte and its subsidiary Communication Platform, who are responsible for developing and managing the mobile application Max App. The EU is also imposing measures on the companies Citadel, VAS Experts and Norsi-Trans, which market equipment and software linked to a surveillance system used to monitor internet and mobile communications in Russia. The sanctioned individuals hold management positions within these companies or work in penal colony No 10, where it is reported that inhuman and degrading treatment and torture takes place.
The ministers also took measures against eight people and SIZO-2, one of the Russian detention centres that is used to hold prisoners of war and Ukrainian civilians. The sanctioned individuals are also linked to these detentions (see EUROPE 13908/2).
Lastly, the EU imposed measures against nine people, “GRU intelligence officers, cyber criminals, self-proclaimed ‘hacktivists’” and four companies, including one registered in Latvia, “which contribute to Russia’s efforts to destabilise the EU, its Member States and its international partners”, according to the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas. She added that the EU would summon Russia’s representative to the European Union over the cyber-defence campaign conducted by Moscow.
In a statement on behalf of the EU, she denounced Russia’s “malicious cyber activities with growing severity affecting the EU, its member states, as well as international partners”, notably through the 16th Centre of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB). “We strongly condemn Russia’s behaviour and misuse of this cyber ecosystem, targeting public services and critical infrastructure, causing disruptions and financial losses”.
Read the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/mv0
Review the legal acts linked to the measures that have been adopted: https://aeur.eu/f/mvb
The 21st package of sanctions is still being debated. By contrast, no agreement has been reached on the 21st package of sanctions, with the issue of LNG transport still reportedly posing a problem.
While regretting the lack of agreement, Ms Kallas said that the Member States were “very close to the goal”.
When asked about the removal from the package of the fisheries issue and the weakening of the measure regarding Russian fighters, she believed that it was “always preferable to put forward proposals that are as strong as possible. So we know that some things are inevitably removed. But in the end, we still have a solid proposal”, she added.
Time is running out. The EU’s current cap on Russian oil prices at $44.10 per barrel expires on 15 July if no measure is taken by then. “If (…) no agreement is found by the 15th, that would lead to a rise in prices, which is completely contrary to the process we are trying to establish with the sanctions and economic pressure we are exerting on Russia. On the contrary, it would allow them to have additional resources”, warned the Bulgarian minister, Velislava Petrova-Chamova.
“It is true that each new package of sanctions is a little more difficult to put in place”, acknowledged the Danish minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, who considered that there would “very probably be an agreement in the coming days”.
Do not normalise Russian aggression. The ministers also denounced the decision by the International Olympic Committee to once again invite Russian athletes to international competitions. Ms Kallas described this decision as “detached from reality”. “Aggressors have no place to be with us in international events, be it cultural events or be it sports events. And Lithuania is calling on the EU to (…) agree that there is no place for Russia and Belarus in sports games in Europe and that Member States wouldn’t host games where the presence of these two countries is a determining factor” pleaded the Lithuanian minister, Kęstutis Budrys, on his arrival at the EU Council.
Lastly, the European Commission recommended that the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) – which manages funding in the fields of education, culture, audiovisual, sport, citizenship and volunteering – “terminate the €2 million grant awarded to the Biennale di Venezia”. This decision follows an in-depth assessment of the responses provided by the Biennale to justify the reopening of Russia’s pavilion. Culture in Europe – funded by taxpayers’ money – must promote and preserve democratic values. These values are not respected in today’s Russia”, Executive Vice-President of the Commission Henna Virkkunen said on social media on 12 July. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant with Ana Pisonero Hernandez)