Chemical weapons: EU sanctions renewed for a further year

The Council has prolonged the restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons for another year, until 16 October 2023.

The restrictive measures currently in place target a total of 15 persons and 2 entities. Those designated are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. Natural persons are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.

The EU sanctions regime aims to contribute to the EU’s efforts to counter the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, as well as support the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (CWC).

Background and next steps

The sanctions regime was first introduced in 2018 in order to target individuals and entities directly responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons, and for those providing financial, material, and technical support.

The EU follows the developments in this domain closely and can decide to renew sanctions and amend the list of targeted persons and entities in case its objectives have not been met.