LATEST UPDATES (13th package of EU sanctions): EU reaction to Russian invasion of Ukraine (regularly updated)

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February and March 2014 and the subsequent annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation (Russia) on 16 March 2014, declared illegal also by the UN General Assembly (UNGA/11493, 27 March 2014), the EU has adopted, under articles 29 of the TEU and 215 of the TFEU, a series of restrictive measures against persons and entities for their role in actions threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine[1].

Following Russia’s recognition of the Luhansk and Donetsk People’s Republics’ independence on 21 February 2022 and its further invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, the EU adopted a first package of sanctions.

In view of the gravity of the situation, and in response to Russia’s continued military aggression against Ukraine, the EU has adopted a series of new restrictive measures.

Two years after Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine, on February 23, 2024, the EU adopted its 13th package of sanctions against Russia. The following are among the main measures implemented:

13^th package of sanctions

Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/746 of 23 February 2024 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, and Council Regulation (EU) 2024/745 of 23 February 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine:[2]

• Addition of 27 new entities to the list of persons and entities, set out in Annex IV to Decision 2014/512/CFSP, connected to Russia’s military and industrial complex subject to tighter export restrictions regarding dual-use goods and technology, as well as goods and technology which might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and security sector, including:
  • 17 Russian companies involved in the development, production and supply of electronic components, particularly used in connection with drone production;
  • 4 companies registered in China and 6 others registered in Kazakhstan, India, Serbia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Türkiye, supporting indirectly Russia’s military and industrial complex by trading such electronic components, including of EU-origin.
• Addition of components for the development and production of unmanned aerial vehicles to the list of advanced technology items that may contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or to the development of its defence and security sector (Annex VII to Regulation 833/2014).
• Further restrictions on exports of goods which contribute in particular to the enhancement of Russian industrial capabilities, such as electric transformers, static converters, inductors, and aluminium capacitors (Annex XXIII to Regulation 833/2014).
• Addition of the United Kingdom to the list of partner countries (already including Norway, and Switzerland since the 12^th package of sanctions on December 18, 2023) which apply a set of restrictive measures on imports of iron and steel from Russia and a set of import control measures that are substantially equivalent to those of the EU (established by Decision 2014/512/CFSP and Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014).

Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/747 of 23 February 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/753 of 23 February 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine:[3]

• Addition of 106 persons and 88 entities to the list of persons/entities subject to restrictive measures (travel restrictions and the freezing of funds and economic resources) set out in the Annex to Decision 2014/145/CFSP and Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 269/2014. The new listing, which now applies to over 2000 individuals and entities altogether, targets:
  • More than 140 companies and associated individuals from the Russian military and defence sectors;
  • 10 Russian companies and individuals involved in DPRK armament supply to Russia, including the Defence Minister of the DPRK, and several Belarusian companies and individuals providing support to the Russian armed forces;
  • 6 judges and 10 officials involved in the occupation and illegal annexation of areas of Ukraine;
  • 15 individuals and 2 entities responsible for the illegal deportation and military re-education of Ukrainian children.

[1] Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 16–21; and Council Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 of 17 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, OJ L 78, 17.3.2014, p. 6–15;

Council Decision 2014/512/CFSP of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine OJ L229, 31.7.2014, p. 13–17; and Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, OJ L 229, 31.7.2014, p. 1–11.

[2] Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/746 of 23 February 2024 amending Decision 2014/512/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, OJ L, 2024/746, 23.02.2024; and Council Regulation (EU) 2024/745 of 23 February 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, OJ L, 2024/745, 23.02.2024.

[3] Council Decision (CFSP) 2024/747 of 23 February 2024 amending Decision 2014/145/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, OJ L, 2024/747, 23.02.2024; and Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/753 of 23 February 2024 implementing Regulation (EU) No 269/2014 concerning restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, OJ L, 2024/753, 23.02.2024.