COUNCIL OF THE EU,update

 

Press material Friday 16 December 2022

● Council of the EU   16/12/2022 19:29 | Press release | Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: the EU blacklists additional 141 individuals and 49 entities   The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures on an additional 141 individuals and 49 entities in response to the escalating Russian military aggression against Ukraine. This decision is an integral element of the comprehensive ninth package of sanctions adopted by the Council earlier today. "We are targeting almost 200 new individuals and entities who have been instrumental in Russia’s latest escalation in its illegal war in Ukraine. The political masters in the Russian government, in the Duma, in the Federation Council, and in the judiciary are being targeted. Those responsible for looting of Ukrainian grain and for the force deportation of Ukrainian people and, in particular, children, are being sanctioned, as well as organisations who are poisoning of the public space with a systematic manipulation of information. We are determined to act in support of Ukraine, for as long as needed." Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The listed individuals include members of the Russian armed forces and its various branches, members of the State Duma and of the Federation Council, ministers and governors. They also include those responsible for missile strikes against civilians, civilian critical infrastructure, and the kidnappings and subsequent illegal adoptions of Ukrainian children. Lastly, family members of already sanctioned individuals, popular public figures responsible for propaganda and disinformation, as well as those responsible for the looting of Ukrainian agricultural products are also blacklisted. The sanctioned entities include banks such as the Credit Bank of Moscow, JSC Dalnevostochniy, defence and industrial companies, numerous political parties, media holdings under control of the Russian authorities that constitute the core of the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, and paramilitary groups. Altogether, EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine now apply to a total of 1386 individuals and 171 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories. None of the measures adopted in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine target in any way the trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilisers, between third countries and Russia. However, in view of the Union’s determined stance to avoid and combat food insecurity around the world, and in order to avoid disruptions in the payment channels for agricultural products, it was decided to to introduce a new derogation allowing to unfreeze assets of, and to make funds and economic resources available to, certain individuals who held a significant role in international trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilisers, prior to their listing. In its conclusions of 20 and 21 October 2022, the European Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the indiscriminate Russian missile and drone attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects and infrastructure in Kyiv and across Ukraine. Recalling the statement of 30 September 2022, and in line with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution of 12 October 2022, the European Council also reiterated its unequivocal condemnation and firm rejection of the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions and, as in the case of Crimea and Sevastopol, the EU will never recognise this illegal annexation. The European Council stated that Russia’s unilateral decisions deliberately violate the United Nations Charter and blatantly disregard the rules-based international order, and the EU stands ready to continue to reinforce its restrictive measures against Russia. In the face of Russia's war of aggression, the EU stands resolutely with Ukraine and its people, and is unwavering in its support of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals and entities, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU. Official Journal of the EU, 16 December 2022 (including a list of the sanctioned individuals and entities) Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 9th package of economic and individual sanctions (press release 16 December 2022) EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information) European Council conclusions of 20-21 October 2022

Library blog Friday 16 December 2022

● General Secretariat of the Council   Think Tank Review - December 2022   The real meaning of the EU citizenship; proposals for reforming the enlargement process, an EU compass to support business competitiveness; how to get to a fair energy transition for all; the real impact of Western sanctions on Russia; the rule of law in external relations; how Russia managed oil and gas income after invading Ukraine; and the Belt and Road Initiative after the Chinese Communist Party Congress are some of the topics covered in the December Think Tank Review. Read full post

Press material Friday 16 December 2022

● Council of the EU   16/12/2022 13:33 | Press release | Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU adopts 9th package of economic and individual sanctions   In response to Russia’s continuing war of aggression against Ukraine and the gravity of the current escalation against civilians and civilian infrastructure, the Council adopted today a ninth package of new measures intended to step up pressure on Russia and its government. "After food and hunger, Putin is now weaponising the winter, by deliberately depriving millions of Ukrainians of water, electricity and heating. The European Union is responding to this latest escalation and war crime with our 9th package of hard-hitting sanctions. We will continue targeting the economy and against those who are instrumental in this brutal war." Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The agreed package includes a series of measures intended to hit hard Russian economy and abilities to continue its aggression. Export controls and restrictions Today's decision imposes new export controls and restrictions on dual-use goods and technology as well as goods and technology that can contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia’s defence and security sector by significantly expanding the list of entities connected to Russia’s military and industrial complex by additional 168 entities targeted by sectoral measures. This will ensure that key chemicals, nerve agents, night-vision and radio-navigation equipment, electronics and IT components that could be used by the Russian war machine cannot be freely traded. To avoid circumvention, some Russian-controlled entities based in illegally annexed Crimea or Sevastopol are also included in the list. Furthermore, the EU will expand the export ban on aviation and the space industry related goods and technology to include aircraft engines and their parts. This prohibition will apply to both manned and unmanned aircrafts, meaning that from now on there will be a ban on the direct exports of drone engines to Russia and any third country that could supply drones to Russia. None of the measures adopted in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine target in any way the trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilisers, between third countries and Russia. However, in view of the Union’s determined stance to avoid and combat food insecurity around the world, and in order to avoid disruptions in the payment channels for agricultural products, it was decided to introduce a new derogation allowing to unfreeze assets of, and to make funds and economic resources available to, certain individuals who held a significant role in international trade in agricultural and food products, including wheat and fertilisers, prior to their listing. Banking sector The EU will impose an asset freeze against two additional Russian banks and add the Russian Regional Development Bank to the list of Russian State-owned or controlled entities that are subject to a full transaction ban. Broadcasting In order to address the Russian Federation's systematic, international campaign of disinformation and information manipulation intended to destabilise its neighbouring countries, the EU and its member states, the Council initiated the process for suspending the broadcasting licences of four additional media outlets: NTV/NTV Mir, Rossiya 1, REN TV and Pervyi Kanal. These outlets are under the permanent direct or indirect control of the leadership of the Russian Federation and have been used by latter for its continuous and concerted disinformation and war propaganda actions, which legitimise Russia’s aggression and undermine support for Ukraine. In line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights, these measures will not prevent those media outlets and their staff from carrying out activities in the EU other than broadcasting, e.g. research and interviews. Consulting services Today's decisions introduce a ban on the provision of EU advertising, market research and public opinion polling services, as well as product testing and technical inspection services to the Russian Federation. Energy and mining sectors The EU will expand the prohibition targeting new investments in the Russian energy sector by additionally prohibiting new investments in the Russian mining sector, with the exception of mining and quarrying activities involving certain critical raw materials. Others As of today EU nationals will be forbidden from holding any posts on the governing bodies of all Russian State-owned or controlled legal persons, entities or bodies located in Russia. Individual listings In addition to economic sanctions, the Council decided to adopt a comprehensive package of individual measures both in number and content with list a very significant number of additional individuals and entities. In the face of Russia's war of aggression, the EU stands resolutely with Ukraine and its people, and is unwavering in its support of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. The relevant legal acts will soon be published in the Official Journal of the EU. Council Decision and Regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine Russian oil: EU agrees on level of price cap (press release 3 December 2022) EU response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine (background information) European Council conclusions of 20-21 0ctober 2022

Library blog Friday 16 December 2022

● General Secretariat of the Council   New books added to the Council Library's collection - December 2022   Discover our selection of books recently added to the Council Library collection.

New books added to the Council Library's collection - December 2022

• 16 December 2022
 
• New books
 
• gsclibrary

Energy Economy & finance Environment Foreign affairs & international relations EU member states Asia

 

Discover our selection of books recently added to the Council Library collection. To get a fuller view, please consult the list in Eureka, the online catalogue of the Council libraries.

• Council Library New Books list 2022

Highlights:

• Essential EU climate law

"The textbook introduces the main climate mitigation targets and instruments of the EU, analysing all available legal instruments to mitigate climate change, ranging from greenhouse gas emissions trading to the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency mechanisms."

• World energy outlook 2022

"With the world in the midst of the first global energy crisis – triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – the World Energy Outlook 2022 provides indispensable analysis and insights on the implications of this profound and ongoing shock to energy systems across the globe."

• Europe in the age of post-truth politics

"The book explores the impact of the phenomenon of post-truth politics on European integration and the European Union. It places particular emphasis on how post-truth politics has played out in the public sphere and asks what impact the phenomenon has had on public deliberation ..."

• Making sense of a united Ireland : should it happen? how might it happen?

"By 2030, if not sooner, Ulster unionists' demographic and electoral advantages will be over. And in the light of Brexit, the rising popularity of Sinn Féin, political developments both sides of the border, and within Great Britain, Irish unification referendums will become increasingly likely."

• Critical thinking for strategic intelligence

"This book is framed around 20 key questions that all analysts must ask themselves as they prepare to conduct research, generate hypotheses, evaluate sources of information, draft papers, and ultimately present analysis, including: How do I get started? Where is the information I need? What is my argument?  ..."

• How to stand up to a dictator : the fight for our future

"From the recipient of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize, an impassioned and inspiring memoir of a career spent holding power to account."

The publications mentioned in this post do not necessarily represent the positions, policies, or opinions of the Council of the European Union or the European Council.

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