Against judicial staff

EU states adopt further sanctions

(Bild: AFP)

In response to the death of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, the EU imposed further sanctions against Russia on Monday. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has commented personally on Navalny's death for the first time. At a press conference on Sunday (see video above), he said: "This is a sad event. But it happens, there's nothing you can do about it, that's life."

The foreign ministers of the member states agreed on punitive measures against representatives of the Russian judicial system at a meeting in Brussels, as several diplomats confirmed to the German press agency dpa.  

Entry bans and account freezes
Those affected may no longer enter the EU and may no longer do business with EU citizens. In addition, their accounts and other assets in the EU must be frozen. According to information from EU circles, a double-digit number of representatives of the judicial system will be affected.

Yulia Navalnaya wants to continue the fight of her deceased husband.(Bild: AFP)

Circumstances of death still unclear
The Kremlin critic Navalny, who had been sentenced to a long prison term, died in a penal camp in Siberia in mid-February. The circumstances of his death have still not been clarified. According to the authorities, Putin's fiercest critic collapsed during a tour of the icy prison yard at the age of 47. Resuscitation attempts have been unsuccessful.

The 27 EU states accuse Putin and the Russian authorities of being responsible for the politician's death. Navalny's widow Yulia Navalnaya even assumes that her husband was murdered in the camp.

EU announces "consequences" after Russian election
There is also harsh criticism of the presidential election process. "Consequences" have also been announced due to the inclusion of occupied Ukrainian territories. Sanctions are being considered against the political leadership and those involved in organizing the elections in the occupied territories. This is because the so-called elections in Crimea and in parts of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions represent another obvious violation of international law by Russia. In addition, the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine is being threatened, according to the text published on Monday by EU foreign affairs representative Josep Borrell. The election results would never be recognized and are null and void.

The EU does not recognize the Russian election results.(Bild: APA/AFP/NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA)

Five billioneuros inmilitary aid for Ukraine
On Monday, the foreign ministers also decided on further military aid for Ukraine amounting to five billion euros. The funds are valid until 2027, said EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. However, the disbursement of the military aid is proving difficult, as Hungary's government, for example, has been blocking 500 million euros for months.

The countries also agreed on a reform of the so-called European Peace Facility (EPF). This is a fund outside of the EU budget, through which member states can be partially reimbursed for arms deliveries to Ukraine.