Brussels, (TDI): The European Union has decided to impose new sanctions on Russia in response to a series of recent hybrid and sabotage attacks across Europe, according to diplomats.
The EU and NATO have accused Moscow of orchestrating incidents designed to destabilize Western nations amid ongoing tensions related to the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine.
Several EU countries, including Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, have uncovered plots or incidents, including arson attacks that are allegedly linked to Russian operatives in recent months.
During a meeting in Brussels, ambassadors from the 27 EU member states approved a new legal framework aimed at imposing visa bans and asset freezes on individuals responsible for these attacks.
Once formally approved next week, the EU will be able to add specific Russian agents or entities to a blacklist.
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European officials believe these Russian actions are partly intended to undermine support for Ukraine as Moscow’s war enters its third year.
Since the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, EU nations, along with the United States, have provided significant support to Ukraine.
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The EU has already imposed 14 rounds of unprecedented sanctions against Russia to disrupt the Kremlin’s military efforts.
Additionally, several EU countries, led by Prague, have been pushing for measures to limit the movement of Russian diplomats within the bloc.
However, there has not been unanimous support for this initiative, with Hungary, the EU’s most pro-Russian member, recently facing criticism for relaxing visa restrictions for Russians.
