AMID Wagner‘s active participation in the frontlines of battle, the Council of the European Union (EU) added the paramilitary to its sanctions list for its involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In a statement,
“The Wagner Group is actively participating in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and spearheaded the attacks against the Ukrainian towns of Soledar and Bakhmut,” said European Union Council.
Under the said sanction, the assets of individuals and companies are frozen, and EU citizens or firms are prohibited from making funds available to them.
Aside from this, blacklisted groups and individuals are also forbidden from entering the EU.
Currently, there are 1,473 individuals and 207 entities under the EU sanctions list for undermining or threatening Ukraine‘s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
To recall, in February 2022, 83-year-old Violetta Prigozhina, the Mother of Wagner’s Chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, received sanctions through her association with her son.
However, in March 2023, the EU’s General Court removed Prigozhina from the bloc’s sanctions list, saying that her link with her son is based only on their relationship and is therefore not sufficient to justify her inclusion in the sanctions.
“Despite the fact that the latter Yevgeny Prigozhin is responsible for actions that have undermined the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, Ms. Prigozhina’s link with her son, which was established at the time of the adoption of the restrictive measures, is based only on their relationship, and is therefore not sufficient to justify her inclusion in the restrictive measures,” statement of the EU General Court.
The EU Council has 2 months to appeal the decision.
