EU prepares sanctions regime targeting Russian hybrid threats, media says

The European Union has decided to introduce a thematic sanctions regime dedicated to hybrid threats from Russia.

Rikard Jozwiak, Brussels correspondent of Radio Liberty, said on Twitter (X) that EU ambassadors will agree on a new thematic sanctions regime targeting Russian hybrid threats on 2 October. It will be formalised next week.  

"No names yet but will be added in future," the journalist shared.  

He also noted that there was initially an intention to introduce a general sanctions regime, but it was ultimately agreed to focus on Russian threats.  

The EU has imposed a significant number of sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. These sanctions cover various sectors and are aimed at exerting economic pressure on Russia to halt its military actions.  

The sanctions target financial, energy, trade, transport, visa and personal areas.

On 24 June, the EU Council adopted the 14th package of economic and individual restrictive measures against Russia, which, for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, includes sanctions on Russian gas.  

Germany had hampered the sanctions package due to the expansion of measures that would require EU companies to ensure their clients could not resell sanctioned goods to Russia.  

Additionally, media reported that the Hungarian government agreed to the 14th package of EU sanctions, which provides for restrictions on supplies of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG), in exchange for assurances that no current or future measures will threaten the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant, which Russian state-owned company Rosatom is building.