Saturday

2nd Dec 2023

EU imposes mini-sanctions on Russia chemical attack

  • Segments of Russian gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 on a freight train (Photo: nord-stream2.com)

EU countries are to impose modest sanctions on Russia for its second use of a prohibited chemical weapon in Europe.

The visa-bans and asset-freezes will target "individuals that we consider to be responsible for this violation of international law," German foreign minister Heiko Maas said after EU talks in Luxembourg on Monday (12 October), referring to the recent poisoning of Russian opposition hero Alexei Navalny.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

  • Victim Alexei Navalny called for sanctions on pro-Kremlin billionaires (Photo: Person Behind the Scenes)

The listing will enter into force in the next few days under special EU measures on chemical weapons abuse.

It is set to name four individuals and one entity, but details could still change, diplomatic sources said.

Navalny was attacked with novichok, the same toxin used in the attempted assassination of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK two years ago.

Back then, EU states expelled some 40 Russian diplomats in response.

This time, Poland and others had called for Germany to stop building a Russia gas pipeline, called Nord Stream 2, in order to show a red line had been crossed.

But Maas previously said the cost to German firms would be more than Berlin was willing to pay.

Navalny had called for EU sanctions on pro-Kremlin Russian billionaires.

"They embezzle money, steal billions, and at the weekend they fly to Berlin or London, buy expensive apartments and sit in cafes," he told German newspaper Bild last week.

But the EU's strict targeting - of "individuals ... responsible" for the novichok attack - indicated a less bullish approach.

The EU was taking action "against one specific and concrete event", the EU's foreign policy head, Josep Borrell, also said in Luxembourg.

And it needed to conduct normal diplomacy with Russia in other areas, Borrell added, mentioning conflicts in the South Caucasus, Syria, and Ukraine.

Unhappy event

"The whole world cannot be reduced to this unhappy event of the poisoning of Mr. Navalny," Borrell said.

France and Germany had presented "evidence" about the Navalny case to the other 25 EU states and "no one posed any reluctance" on Tuesday about going ahead, Borrell also said.

Russia denies any wrongdoing.

Its EU embassy in Brussels declined to comment on Monday's political decision before it becomes formalised.

"However, we may reaffirm our position, that sanctions are an instrument of those unable or unwilling to employ diplomatic methods," it told EUobserver.

Russia loses seat on board of chemical weapons watchdog

Russia lost its seat on the board of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for the first time in the organisation's history — while Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania were elected to the executive council.

Opinion

'Loss and Damage' reparations still hang in balance at COP28

There is still work to be done — especially when it comes to guaranteeing the Global North's participation in financing Loss and Damage, and ensuring the Global South has representation and oversight on the World Bank's board.

Latest News

  1. Israel's EU ambassador: 'No clean way to do this operation'
  2. Brussels denies having no 'concern' on Spain's amnesty law
  3. Dubai's COP28 — a view from the ground
  4. Germany moves to criminalise NGO search-and-rescue missions
  5. Israel recalls ambassador to Spain in new diplomatic spat
  6. Migrant return bill 'obstructed' as EU states mull new position
  7. Paris and Berlin key to including rape in gender-violence directive
  8. What are the big money debates at COP28 UN climate summit?

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  3. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  4. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?
  5. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  6. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us