7 individuals listed - for their destabilising actions and for undermining the territorial integrity
The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures against 7 individuals under two distinct sanctions frameworks.
The Council decided today to impose restrictive measures against 7 individuals under two distinct sanctions frameworks: a recently established regime targeting persons responsible for actions aimed at destabilising, undermining or threatening the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, and the regime addressing the actions which undermine or threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Moldova is one of the countries most affected by the fallout of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. There are serious, increased and continued attempts to destabilise the country. Today’s listings send an important political signal of the EU’s support to Moldova in the current difficult context. The EU’s stance remains firm: we will continue to crack down on those who destabilise our direct neighbourhood.
Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The package is therefore intended to address on the one hand the sensitive internal situation in Moldova, and attempts to destabilise the country, and on the other hand the involvement of some Moldovan nationals in efforts to undermine the territorial integrity of Ukraine by supporting Russia’s war of aggression.
The sanctioned individuals are politicians and businessmen with Moldovan or Russian nationality that have engaged in destabilising activities. Some of them are linked to the “Bank Fraud” case, which resulted in huge losses for the Moldovan budget. Others are linked to efforts orchestrated by the Kremlin to destabilise Moldova through for instance the planning of violent demonstrations, financial misconduct, unauthorised export of capital and support for the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) projects. Furthermore, the two listings linked to Ukraine target individuals who provided support to Russian military forces, and cooperated with Russian occupation authorities.
All those listed today are subject to an asset freeze and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. They are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU territories.
The efforts to destabilise the Republic of Moldova have noticeably increased since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and represent a direct threat to the stability and security of the external borders of the EU. The EU remains unwavering in its support to Moldova, its resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilising activities by external actors.
Background
On 23 June 2022 the European Council granted the status of candidate country to the Republic of Moldova.
On 28 April, the EU established, at the request of Moldova a framework for targeted restrictive measures against persons responsible for supporting or implementing actions which undermine or threaten the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of Moldova, as well as the country’s democracy, the rule of law, stability or security.