World ECR | EU unveils new sanctions framework

The EU announced that it has “established a new framework of restrictive measures to respond to Russia’s destabilizing behavior abroad”, allowing sanctions to be imposed on individuals and entities involved in threatening the EU’s fundamental values, security and integrity.

The new framework enables the EU to respond to a wide range of hybrid threats, such as: “Disruption of electoral processes and the functioning of democratic institutions; threats and disruptions to economic activity, public interest services or critical infrastructure; the use of coordinated disinformation, foreign information manipulation and Interference (FIMI); malicious cyber activity, exploitation of immigrants, and other destabilizing activities.

Under this framework, designated individuals face asset freezes and travel bans, preventing them from entering or transiting EU territory. EU citizens and companies will be prohibited from providing funds to designated persons.

The Council’s press release on 8 October noted that this decision is consistent with the Security and Defense Strategic Compass approved in 2022, which calls for the development of an “EU hybrid toolbox”.