Sanctions against Russia
54 Commons Library Research Briefing, 22 March 2023
Prior to the onset of Russian military action in Ukraine on 24 February 2022,
EU restrictive measures relating to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of
Ukraine already applied to 193 individuals and 48 entities. Those designated
individuals are subject to an asset freeze and a travel ban. This includes three
members of the Russian Duma who were sanctioned on 21 February 2022,
having been elected in Russia's September 2021 parliamentary elections to
represent Crimea and the City of Sevastopol. The Head and Deputy Head of
the Sevastopol Electoral Commission were also sanctioned.
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In concert with
allies, on 22 February EU Foreign Ministers agreed a further package of
sanctions. Measures included:
• 351 members of the Russia Duma who voted for recognition of the DPR
and LPR were listed.
• 26 individuals and entities playing a role in undermining or threatening
Ukrainian territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence, including
banks that are financing Russian decision makers, those in the defence
sector that played a role in the invasion and those responsible for
waging a disinformation war against Ukraine, will be subject to targeted
sanctions. Russian Defence Minister, Sergei Shoigu is on the list.
• Targeting trade from the DPR and LPR to and from the EU.
• Preventing the Russian state and government from accessing European
capital and financial markets and services, including through limiting the
access of Russian sovereign debt to EU financial markets.
In line with allies, EU High Representative, Josep Borrell, confirmed the EU
would also "raise the level of sanctions substantially, according with Russian
behaviour".
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Further rounds of sanctions
Further sanctions followed on 25 and 28 February, in early March, early April
and in early June 2022.
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To supplement those sanctions packages, at the
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Official Journal of the European Union, L40, Vol.65, 21 February 2022
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EU External Action Service, Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell, 22 February 2022
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Council of the European Union, Press release, 25 February 2022; Council of the European Union,
Press release, 28 February 2022; Council of the European Union, Press release, 9 March 2022,
Council of the European Union, Press release, 8 April 2022 and Council of the European Union, Press
• Further restrictions on the export of dual-use goods and advanced
technologies including components that could be used in weapons
systems such as drones, helicopters and missiles, rare earth minerals
and thermal cameras.
• Further import restrictions on goods which generate significant revenue
for Russia, including asphalt and synthetic rubber.
• New measures to prevent sanctions evasion.
