EU readies 16th sanctions package against Russia to mark third anniversary of full-scale invasion – media

The European Union intends to adopt the next package of sanctions against Russia on 24 February, the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Source: German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The newspaper has obtained information from diplomatic circles in Brussels about the planned measure, which will be the 16th package of EU sanctions in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

EU diplomats familiar with the matter stated that the package is intended to send a "clear message" to Moscow and will contain "measures against specific sectors of the Russian economy that have not yet been targeted at all or only to an insufficient extent".

In addition, the 16th package of sanctions will include further sanctions against individuals and organisations "considered to be propagandists of the Russian regime and responsible for undermining the territorial integrity of Ukraine".

The European Commission and the European External Action Service also aim to impose travel bans and freeze the assets of individuals involved in espionage for Russia and disinformation campaigns, including those operating in Germany.

Brussels has acknowledged that it would be "challenging" to trace individuals' involvement in what are known as hybrid Russian attacks and to prove their role in the crimes. As a result, it has not yet been decided whether sanctions will be imposed on 24 February for espionage and disinformation activities linked to Russia.

Background: 

• On 16 December, the EU Council adopted the 15th sanctions package against Russia, which included a ban on access to ports and certain services for a further 52 vessels from Russia's shadow fleet.
• In December, the EU imposed sanctions for the first time in response to what are known as hybrid Russian attacks.

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