- Restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol (Crimea)
- Restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (Territorial integrity)
- Misappropriation of state funds of Ukraine (MSF)
- Restrictive measures in response to the illegal recognition, occupation or annexation by the Russian Federation of certain non-government controlled areas of Ukraine
Regime
EU country specific, EU MSF
Target State
Russia
Measures
Asset freeze and prohibition to make funds available, Restrictions on admission
Sanctions Portfolio
- All assets of the listed persons and entities should be frozen. It is also prohibited to make any funds or assets directly or indirectly available to them.
- Member States shall enforce travel restrictions on persons listed in the Annex of Council Decision 2014/145/CFSP.
Official Information
Program: Restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol (Crimea)
On 6 March 2014, the Heads of State or Government of the EU countries strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity by Russia. At its meeting on 20-21 March 2014, the European Council strongly condemned the illegal annexation of Crimea to the Russian Federation and emphasised that it will not recognise it. The European Council considered that certain economic, trade and financial restrictions regarding Crimea should be proposed for rapid implementation.
On 27 March 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 68/262 on the territorial integrity of Ukraine, affirming its commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, underscoring the invalidity of the referendum held in Crimea on 16 March, and calling upon all States not to recognise any alterations to the status of Crimea.
On 23 June 2014, the Council of the EU considered that the import into the EU of goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol should be prohibited, with the exception of goods originating in Crimea or Sevastopol having been granted a certificate of origin by the Government of Ukraine. On 30 July 2014, the Council of the EU adopted additional measures restricting trade with and investment in Crimea. On 18 December 2014, the Council further restricted investment in Crimea. In addition, trade in goods and technology for use in certain sectors in Crimea were restricted. Services in the sectors of transport, telecommunications, energy or the prospection, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources, as well as services related to tourism activities in Crimea including in the maritime sector were also prohibited.
On 19 March 2015, the European Council concluded that it does not recognise and continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and will remain committed to fully implement its non-recognition policy. The restrictive measures were renewed on 19 June 2023, and will expire on 23 June 2024.
This restrictive measures regime is part of a wider EU non-recognition policy of the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.
Program: Restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine (Territorial integrity)
On 17 March 2014 the EU Council imposed an asset freeze and travel restrictions on those responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The decision was made after the Heads of State or Government of the European Union's Member States on 6 March 2014 strongly condemned the unprovoked violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity by the Russian Federation and called on the Russian Federation to immediately withdraw its armed forces to the areas of their permanent stationing. They called on the Russian Federation to enable immediate access for international monitors. The Heads of State or Government considered that the decision by the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea to hold a referendum on the future status of the territory is contrary to the Ukrainian Constitution and therefore illegal. Over time, the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures has been expanded by the EU Council.
On 22 February 2022, the EU strongly condemned the decision of the President of the Russian Federation on 21 February 2022 to recognize the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities and the ensuing decision to send Russian troops into these areas. The EU considers that this as an illegal act further undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence and is a severe breach of international law and international agreements. In view of the situation, on 23 February 2022, the Council of the EU expanded the list of persons and entities subject to the restrictive measures consisting of asset freezes and travel restrictions.
On 24 February 2022, the President of the Russian Federation announced a military operation in Ukraine and Russian armed forces began an attack on Ukraine. The EU strongly condemned the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation and the involvement of Belarus in this aggression against Ukraine. In view of the gravity of the situation, on 25 February 2022, the Council broadened the listing criteria to cover persons and entities supporting and benefiting from the Government of the Russian Federation as well as persons and entities providing a substantial source of revenue to it. The Council has since expanded the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures.
Derogations and exemptions to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Program: Misappropriation of state funds of Ukraine (MSF)
On 20 February 2014, the Council of the EU condemned in the strongest terms all use of violence in Ukraine and called for an immediate end to the violence, and full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. The Council also called upon the Ukrainian Government to exercise maximum restraint and opposition leaders to distance themselves from those who resort to radical action, including violence. On 3 March 2014, the Council agreed to focus restrictive measures on the freezing and recovery of assets of persons identified as responsible for the misappropriation of Ukrainian State funds and persons responsible for human rights violations, with a view to consolidating and supporting the rule of law and respect for human rights in Ukraine.
Program: Restrictive measures in response to the illegal recognition, occupation or annexation by the Russian Federation of certain non-government controlled areas of Ukraine
On 22 February 2022, the EU strongly condemned the decision of the President of the Russian Federation on 21 February 2022 to recognize the non-government controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine as independent entities and the ensuing decision to send Russian troops into these areas. The EU considers that this as an illegal act further undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence and is a severe breach of international law and international agreements.
In view of the situation, on 23 February 2022, the Council of the EU adopted restrictive measures, which prohibit the import into the EU of goods originating in the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine with the exception of goods having been granted a certificate of origin by the Government of Ukraine. In addition, the measures restrict trade in good and technology for use in certain sectors and prohibit services in the sectors of transport, telecommunications, energy or the prospecting, exploration and production of oil, gas and mineral resources, as well as services related to tourism activities in the non-government controlled areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts of Ukraine.
On 21 September 2022, the Russian Federation decided to further escalate its aggression against Ukraine by supporting the organisation of illegal 'referenda' in the parts of the Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions. By organising those illegal sham ‘referenda’, Russia aimed to change by force the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine, which constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Charter of the United Nations.
In view of the grave circumstances, on 6 October 2022, the Council extended the geographical scope of the regime to cover all the non-government controlled areas of Ukraine in the oblasts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia.
Derogations and exemptions to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid.
