As a result of the Ukraine war, the EU sanctioned the Wagner mercenary group, including the head of the paramilitaries, "Putin's cook" Yevgeny Prigozhin.
BRUSSELS – The EU states have added the Russian mercenary group Wagner to their sanctions list for their “active” involvement in the Ukraine war.
The symbolic measure on Thursday evening (April 13) in Brussels was justified by the fact that the actions of the Wagner group undermined and threatened “the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine”.
Wagner has been on an EU sanctions list since the end of 2021.
At that time, serious human rights violations were the background to the measure.
In February, the EU also imposed sanctions on 11 people and seven entities linked to the Wagner Group.
Some of them are accused of human rights violations in the Central African Republic and in Sudan, others are said to endanger security or stability in Mali.
There is also an entry ban for people in the EU.
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The EU puts the Wagner mercenaries on the sanctions list – Putin's cook Prigozhin is also affected.
© Telegram @Concordgroup_Official/AFP
Now, with the new sanctions, assets have been frozen and banned from providing funds to the group.
EU citizens and companies are also prohibited from making funds available to them.
Overall, the restrictive measures apply to 1473 people and 207 organizations, it said.
The Wagner Group continues to be the focus of EU attention: Prigozhin is also being sanctioned
The multiple sanctions underscore the international dimension and seriousness of the group's activities, as well as their destabilizing impact on the countries where it operates, Thursday's statement said.
The Wagner group played a leading role in the attacks on the Ukrainian cities of Soledar and Bakhmut.
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
Putin's circle of power in the Kremlin - the confidants of the Russian President
In addition, the EU states imposed sanctions on the Russian media organization
Ria Fan -
it belongs to the Patriot Media Group, whose board of directors is headed by Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin.
The news agency is involved in pro-government propaganda and disinformation about Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU states said.
(nak/dpa)
List of rubrics: © Telegram @Concordgroup_Official/AFP