**EU to Impose New Sanctions on Russia**
The European Union is getting ready to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with new sanctions. On February 24, 2024, the EU plans to adopt its 16th package of sanctions against Russia.
These new sanctions are meant to target specific parts of the Russian economy that have not been affected before or have been affected too little. The goal is to weaken Russia’s economic base and limit its ability to finance the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The EU has already imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia since 2014, when it annexed Crimea. These sanctions aim to restrict access to critical technologies and limit Russia’s financing options.
**New Targets**
The new package will also target individuals and organizations that spread Russian propaganda and try to undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The EU wants to impose entry bans and freeze assets on people involved in espionage activities for Russia and those who participate in disinformation campaigns, including operations in Germany.
However, it might be difficult to track down individuals involved in hybrid Russian attacks and prove their guilt. This could affect the final decision on sanctions related to these activities.
**Previous Sanctions**
The EU’s previous sanctions package, adopted in December 2023, targeted 52 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet and marked the first-ever sanctions specifically addressing Russian hybrid attacks.