EU targets Russian intelligence chiefs, readies tougher sanctions

FE Team | Published: July 27, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

BRUSSELS, July 26, (AFP): Stung into action by the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, the EU put Russia's intelligence chiefs on its sanctions list Saturday as it readied much harsher measures against Moscow over the Ukraine crisis.
The director of the FSB security service, Alexander Bortnikov, and the head of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, Mikhail Fradkov were among 15 people and 18 entities hit with asset freezes and visa bans, the EU's Official Journal said.
Bortnikov and Fradkov, both members of the Russian Security Council, were included for their part in "threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," it said.
Among other figures was Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov, having offered to send troops to support the pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine who have been blamed for shooting down flight MH17 with a Russian-made missile.
The entities included rebel militias and authorities in Ukraine, plus companies said to have helped and profited from Moscow's March annexation of the Crimean peninsula which is home to Russia's Black Sea fleet.
EU officials said an additional list expected Tuesday may target figures close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Saturday's announcement means a total of 87 people and 20 entities have been hit with 'Phase 2' asset freezes and visa bans by the European Union as it prepares to adopt broader 'Phase 3' measures targeting key economic sectors.
The 28 member state ambassadors to the EU agreed Friday the legal instruments to give effect to the new measures which cover four areas-access to the capital markets, defence, dual-use goods and sensitive technologies, including in the energy sector.
The ambassadors and officials will continue discussions over the weekend and on Monday, aiming for final clearance at another meeting Tuesday.
Normally, EU leaders would meet at that point to give political approval but European Council president Herman Van Rompuy has already asked them in a letter to instruct their ambassadors to agree to the new measures that day.
European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso said Friday the proposed package was effective, well targeted and balanced, as well as flexible enough to allow the EU to adjust to events on the ground.
Barroso also reiterated calls for Russia to reverse course in Ukraine, cut its support for the rebels and commit to serious talks on a peaceful settlement of the crisis.