EU unveils new sanctions to counter Russian hybrid threats

On Tuesday, member states established a new sanctions system against Russia at the request of the EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell. This system enables restrictions on individuals and entities involved in destabilizing activities targeting the EU and its member states, including disinformation and election interference.

The new sanctions aim to counter hybrid threats from Russia, such as election interference, attempts to undermine trust in democratic institutions, and attacks on critical infrastructure, including EU businesses and public institutions.

Examples of these threats include the cyberattacks carried out on Monday by a pro-Russian hacker collective against Belgian government websites. Additionally, the sanctions aim to address disinformation and the instrumentalization of migrants, which has been evident on the Polish-Belarusian border.

According to a statement by the EU Council, the new sanctions framework allows the European Union to target individuals and entities involved in actions and policies of the Russian Federation government that undermine the core values of the EU and its member states. Sanctioned individuals will be banned from entering the EU, and their assets will be frozen. Furthermore, EU citizens and businesses will be prohibited from providing them with financial or material assistance.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, emphasized that the new sanctions respond to the intensifying hybrid activities from the Kremlin. "Today we send a clear and united message against Russia's increased hybrid activities," Borrell stated. "By introducing a new sanctions system, we declare that destabilizing actions against the EU, its member states, and partners come with a price. Russia will not succeed in undermining our resilience and stability," he wrote on Tuesday on X.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Borrell noted that Moscow's actions perfectly illustrate its "reckless behaviour" and "disregard for the international order." Recently, an increasing number of activities targeting the EU have been recorded, including cyberattacks, information manipulation, arson, vandalism, and sabotage.

"Russia also continues to disrupt satellite communications, violate European airspace, and carry out physical attacks on individuals within EU territory," added Borrell. Russia's actions aim to divide European society, destabilize, and weaken the Community and its support for Ukraine.