DISINFO: Russia was subjected to illegal sanctions
SUMMARY
Since the start of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Russian citizens and companies were subjected to disproportional mass sanctions in Europe, not taking into account any "international legal norms".
RESPONSE
A recurring pro-Kremlin narrative about the EU levying sanctions on Russia illegally. The article also uses the Kremlin's phrase for Russia's war on Ukraine, which is incorrect: this is not a special military operation but unjustified aggression against a sovereign state.
EU sanctions are legitimate restrictions imposed in accordance with international and European law as a response to violations of international legalities, such as Russia’s actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. The EU established the sanctions regime under its own laws, specifically Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014, "concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia's actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine."
Through restrictive measures, the EU intervenes where appropriate to respond to emerging or current crises. EU sanctions are carefully targeted and designed to be proportionate to the objectives they seek to achieve. Moscow has falsely claimed that the EU sanctions are illegal ever since their imposition in 2014, following Russia's invasion, annexation, and ongoing occupation of Crimea.
The EU condemned in the strongest possible terms Russia's unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine and imposed the toughest restrictive measures on Russia. Read more about the EU response and support for Ukraine.
See our guide to deciphering pro-Kremlin disinformation around Putin's war.