EU imposes sanctions over deportation of Ukrainian children, seizure of heritage, propaganda

The European Union has imposed sanctions on individuals and an organization involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children, appropriation of cultural heritage, and propaganda.

The Council of the EU announced the measures on Thursday.

"Unfortunately, Russian individuals involved in reprehensible acts continue to operate with impunity, and are often supported by the government itself. Since the start of the war, Russia is estimated to have deported and forcibly transferred nearly 20 000 Ukrainian children, while pursuing policies to forcibly assimilate and indoctrinate Ukrainian children in order to diminish their Ukrainian identity. Russian government-linked individuals are involved in the seizure of Ukrainian cultural property, and state media broadcasts anti-Ukrainian narratives," the Council said.

Against this background and in order to ensure accountability, the EU has listed five individuals and one organization that facilitated the abduction, forced transfer and indoctrination of Ukrainian children, as well as four individuals involved in the appropriation of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. In addition, the 20th package includes four propagandists, including those with state platforms.

Among other measures, the EU introduced "stronger legal safeguards to protect EU companies from violations of their intellectual property rights or from unfair expropriation in Russia due to abusive court rulings in relation to sanctions." A ban was also introduced on providing cybersecurity services to Russia.

In addition, it was decided to expand the existing broadcasting ban to include websites mirroring banned organizations, thereby circumventing EU measures.

"In line with the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the measures agreed today will not prevent the targeted media outlets and their staff from carrying out activities in the EU other than broadcasting, e.g. research and interviews," the Council said.

The EU also tightened diamond traceability requirements, obliging importers of polished diamonds to provide due diligence declarations confirming that the diamonds were not mined, processed or produced in Russia.