EU sanctions Russian MPs who voted to recognize Moscow’s Donbas statelets
The EU has agreed to sanction the 351 Russian MPs that voted in favor of Moscow recognizing the Russia-controlled statelets in Ukraine’s Donbas as independent “republics”, EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said during a press briefing on Feb. 22.
Additionally, the sanctions are aimed at 27 entities and organizations – such as banks and military enterprises – that finance Russian operations in Donbas and subvert Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russia’s access to European capital markets will also be limited, though Russian President Vladimir Putin was not personally sanctioned at this time.
According to Borrell, these new sanctions will “severely” hurt Russia.
In a since deleted Twitter post, Borrell said the sanctions mean “no more shopping in Milan, no more parties in Saint Tropez, no more diamonds in Antwerp.”
Earlier, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union announced that Russian access to European financial markets will be limited, and Russian banks – sanctioned.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Feb. 21 announced Russia’s recognition of the non-government-controlled areas of Ukrainian Donbas as independent “republics,” and immediately ordered Russian troops into Ukrainian territory.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, this move signifies Moscow “unilaterally abandoning” the peace process as outlined by the Minsk Agreement of 2014. In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has proposed severing diplomatic ties with Russia.
The UK on Feb. 22 imposed sanctions on five major Russian banks, along with Russian oligarchs Gennady Timchenko, Boris Roternberg, and Igor Rotenberg.
Earlier on the same day, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated that he was halting the certification process for the Nord Stream-2 pipeline, rendering it unable to begin operations.
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