DISINFO: New package of EU sanctions are illegal
SUMMARY
Moscow considers the new package of [EU] sanctions illegal.
The European Union continues to take unilateral measures against Russia in response to the consequences of the war. On February 23, EU countries adopted the 13th package of sanctions. [Russia] is convinced that actions taken by the EU are illegal, undermining the international legal prerogatives of the UN Security Council.
RESPONSE
Recurrent pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative portraying Western sanctions as unjustified and illegal pressure, framing them as an aggressive policy.
The EU has reacted swiftly and strongly to Russian unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine with unprecedented support to the country and with the largest sanctions packages in the Union's history.
The EU adopted the 13th package of individual and economic sanctions against Russia due to its illegal aggression and occupation of Ukrainian territories.
The sanctions on Russia, introduced by the US and the EU, do not violate international law or any regulations as they are an entirely legitimate mechanism. Sanctions are a key tool of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The EU sanctions are legitimate restrictions imposed under both international and European law as a response to violations of legal norms, such as Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The EU established the sanctions regime under its laws, specifically Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, "concerning restrictive measures because of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine."
The EU has the right to impose economic sanctions within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and by the principles of the United Nations Charter. Crucially, any such measures must strictly conform to European and international law. Other actors have the right to impose them under international law as well under certain conditions.
Through restrictive measures, the EU intervenes where appropriate to respond to emerging or current crises. EU sanctions are carefully targeted and designed to be proportionate to the objectives they seek to achieve. Moscow has falsely claimed that the EU sanctions are illegal ever since their imposition in 2014, following Russia's invasion, annexation, and ongoing occupation of Crimea.
For further reading, please consult the following links for the EU and US sanctions imposed on Russia.
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