EU imposes a new sanctions framework against Russia in the context of the elections and referendum in the Republic of Moldova
The Council of the European Union has established a new sanctions framework targeting individuals and entities involved in destabilizing actions in favor of Russia, such as undermining electoral processes, cyber attacks and information manipulation. The new set of measures, also applicable in the Republic of Moldova, comes at a crucial moment, considering the proximity of the presidential elections and the October 20 referendum.
By this initiative, the European Union strengthens its defense against hybrid threats and underlines its commitment to protect the democratic values and integrity of its member states, but also of its partner countries. Those designated will be subject to asset freezes and travel bans, and EU companies will be prohibited from making funds or financial resources available to them.
The decision was approved based on the proposal of Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, and is part of the EU bloc's strategy to respond to the Kremlin's destabilization campaign, which has gained momentum through new operations carried out on European territory. The council stressed that such measures are essential to counter increasingly sophisticated tactics and deter similar actions in the future.
The new framework comes in addition to previous sanctions packages, which have already targeted more than 2,200 individuals and entities in Russia. The measures will also be applied in the accession candidate states, including the Republic of Moldova, to prevent external influences on the democratic processes in the region.
